Trusting God's Timing

John 7 (1)

- Read John 7:1-17

In Verse 6, Jesus says, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always at hand.”

What in the world does that mean? My time has not yet come but your time is always at hand. Let’s think for a moment of the conversation that led up to this remark.

Verse 1 says, “After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee.” The word translated in this verse, in this translation is actually the word, “Walk”, because that’s the way Jesus traveled. He walked from place to place.

That is also the way He taught those closest to Him and the ones He would use to change the world. He fed into the disciples’ lives a little each day as they were walking. He would point out the birds of the air, and the fig tree, and the grape vines, and use them as illustrations to drive home truth. He used the scriptures in their lives each day, to impact and instruct them where they were.

That is also the best way to learn and grow as a believer today, little by little, a bit more each day.

In Psalm 63:1 David says, “

> Psalm 63:1 “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

> Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

And in Jeremiah 29:13 we find this promise,

> Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

You remember the lyrics to that old hymn, TRUST AND OBEY.

When we walk with the Lord,

In the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

Let us do His good will;

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

There is no quick, easy way to Christian maturity. It is a daily, faithful walking with the Lord that brings maturity.

“Wisdom waits to be gathered. She cannot be bartered or sold. She is a gift for the diligent, and only the diligent will find her. The lazy man-the stupid man- never even looks.” (The Traveler’s Gift)

Growing and maturing as a believer is a daily thing and an ongoing thing. If you want to grow a squash, you can do so in a short amount of time, but to grow an oak that can stand against the storms, it takes years.

Oh and think of how Jesus ministered during those times of walking. He met Zaccehus in a tree, ate with him and the man was saved. He met the woman at the well, another divine appointment.

When you walk with the Lord day by day, you encounter people you can minister to. A word here, a prayer there, and example of following and trusting Christ there.

So often people want to do the big and exciting thing for God, but it is the faithful walking with Him day by day, that others see. It is when we are regularly, obediently walking with Him, that He sets up those divine appointments.

How many people have been harmed, by flash-in-the pan, supposed Christians, who start out claiming to be all of that, only to fall away from the Lord, the church and the faith, hurting the witness of all Christians.

Jesus has been walking through Galilee. He has been staying in the backwaters of Israel. The religious leaders wanted to kill Him for healing the man at the pool of Bethsadia, on the Sabbath, so Jesus has been staying out of sight. He’s been teaching, and healing in the wilderness.

But now, the festival of shelters or booths was coming up. This was a great, festive time. All of the Jewish men who lived within 20 miles of Jerusalem were expected to go to Jerusalem, and pilgrims from across the empire would go as well.

This festival was to be a time when the Israelites would remember how they traveled in the wilderness and how the Lord provided for them. All of the pilgrims would build booths, or temporary shelters along the walls of the city and in the surrounding countryside.

This was like a harvest celebration. The celebration would last 8 days, with feasting, and sharing memories with friends, and distant relatives. It was a time of catching up. A time of remembering, and a time of celebrating.

Jesus’ brothers are planning on going, and they wanted Jesus to go. They were tired of Jesus walking around the farming communities and wilderness areas. They said, “Jesus, if you’re really somebody, if you’re really going to start a movement, then go to the city. That’s where it’s happening. That’s where the crowds are. That’s where you can get a really big following. That’s where you can start a real movement.