Last-Minute God

"A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law

in every province and made known to 

the people of every nationality so that

the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves

on their enemies."

Esther 8:13-14

For over two months they must have agonized over the message of the first edict issued at the hand of Haman (Esther 3:12-14).  Their destruction was imminent.  In a few short months, the people of God would face mass slaughtering, ethnic cleansing, a holocaust, with no mercy for women, children or the elderly.  There was nothing they could do to prevent their complete annihilation.  The waiting for such horror must have been a kind of nightmare.

God's timing is perfect.  To me, however, it seems He waits too long, creating this drama, tension, and the perfect conditions for worry.  Why would He drag things out, resulting in the suffering of His own?

Part of faith means I have to trust God in the midst of the crisis, believing that He is always at work.  Just because I can't see what He is doing, like the Jews scattered throughout the kingdom were not aware of what was happening in the lives of Esther, Mordecai, King Xerxes, and Haman, culminating in events that would ultimately bring about their salvation, I can't always see behind the scenes to witness the hand of God.  Still, I can choose to have confidence in God who is my Savior, my Protector, my Sovereign Lord.

Faith is not a natural quality.  It is a gift of God that is honed and refined through trials and tribulations.  He uses the difficulties of life to teach me to trust Him as the deadline approaches, D-day draws near, and the worst threatens to happen.  The darkest moments are often just before the dawn.  

Why is He a last-minute God?  He has His reasons.

Power Made Known.  Softening the hardened heart.  Opening the door sealed shut.  Making a way where there is none.  There is much that is impossible, at least for man.  For God, however, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

While this is true, not everyone believes it.  Some have never witnessed the mighty hand of God.  Others deny the existence of a Higher Power.  A few would rather think God is a distant Being who doesn't interact with people but leaves them to their own devices.  

When God comes through in a way that no one can explain, His power is made known to all who witness the miracle. Doubts are extinguished, skepticism is overcome and qualms are quenched.  When circumstances work out in an unusual way, the attention its peculiarity brings shines a spotlight on God's might.  When God is allowed to choose for His people, those watching may sit up and take notice.

Waiting on God's timing results in His power being made known.

Sovereignty Made Known.  There were too many details.  Coincidence could not explain it.  Things worked out in a way that no one expected.  Obviously, there is a master plan about which I have no clue.

When I moved across the country with my family, it was our expectation that we would buy a house in a small community close to the water.  As we traveled, it became clear that this was not what was going to happen.  After struggling for a couple of weeks to find a place to live, a door suddenly opened.

Even though we would have never chosen our current rental on our own, now that we live here, we are finding opportunities to praise God for His sovereign plan.  His way is far superior to ours. 

As I walk with God, letting Him lead, others will discover the dominion He has over the details of my life.  Those watching will learn that He is in control of all things, weaving together a marvelous tapestry with each thread of my life.  They may even want such a loving Father ordering their own footsteps as well.

Waiting on God's timing results in His sovereignty being made known.

Glory Made Known.  Some think life is a crap shoot, that things simply happen as they should, that each is a product of their own destiny.  Without anyone at the helm of their life's ship, it steams on, ending up wherever the current takes it.

I know better, however.  It is my intention that everyone know of the greatness of my God, that I can make much of Him in the details of my life, and that I give Him all the credit for every bit of goodness.  I want many to know that only God could choreograph such a perfectly orchestrated dance.

If everything happened the way I planned, the way I wanted it to be, the way I dreamed it would be, then it would be done according to my puny, limited scope.  Since God is the One with the sweeping, unrestricted vision, letting Him lead means things will happen in a way I would have never expected, making it obvious that my life is designed by His hand.  Then, He will get all the glory for the great things He has done, is accomplishing, and will complete.

Waiting on God's timing results in His glory being made known; He gets all the credit.

It's hard to understand why I often have to wait to taste God's provision, salvation or protection.  If I trust Him through the crisis, however, I will find that His power, sovereign plan, and glory are made known to all who are witnesses.  While I may think God is late, He often works at the last minute so that all will know that He is the Lord my God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God as I wait.

When do I feel discouraged as I wait instead of believing God is at work on my behalf?

How am I desiring my own comfort more than God's plan?