From our limited human perspective, God’s timing can sometimes seem confusing. We live in a world marked by flaws and deception, so it’s natural to wonder: Why does He delay in setting things right? Why does He allow Satan any power at all, even for a moment? If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He intervene immediately when evil prospers? We can bring these fair and honest questions to God without doubting His sovereignty. Let’s explore a few reasons why we might struggle to understand His timing.
- God Exists Beyond Time
God, the Creator of all things, exists outside the bounds of time as we know it. Time itself is His creation, and He is sovereign over it. This means that our perception of time is vastly different from His. God never runs out of time—He is never in a hurry or under pressure. As 2 Peter 3:8 reminds us, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” We might feel the urgency of the moment, but God sees the entire picture. - God is All-Powerful
God’s omnipotence means He is all-powerful and unmatched. Unlike a competitive athlete who fears losing to an opponent, God has no rivals. He is the Sovereign King who has written the story of the world, knowing every outcome because He is the Almighty. Even Job, who questioned God’s timing, ultimately trusted in God’s supreme power (Job 13:15). Job’s acknowledgment of this reality is found in his declaration in Job 42:2, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” - God is Always Present
God’s omnipresence means He is fully present in all places and at all times. He is not bound by the limitations we face. In a sense, He is present throughout all of history, knowing every action, result, and reaction. As Jeremiah 23:24 (ESV) says, “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.” Like an author who knows the ending before she writes it, God knows His story—our history—intimately. - Suffering and Growth in Faith
Our suffering plays a crucial role in our spiritual growth. To understand this, consider the old TV show Wide World of Sports on ABC. The show’s famous tagline spoke of “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” In a similar way, our spiritual victories are made more meaningful by the challenges we endure. As 1 Peter 2:19 (ESV) reminds us, “For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.” Through these trials, we come to understand God’s mercy, patience, love, and goodness. History becomes a lens through which we see God’s character at work. - God’s Timing Teaches Us Faith
God’s timing invites us to trust Him. Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” Even in the chaos of life, God provides protection and purpose. Everything that happens to us—good or bad—has been allowed by God and serves to shape us into the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:28).
Because of these truths, believers can confidently sing, “It is Well with My Soul,” no matter what life brings. The hymn’s author, Horatio Spafford, wrote these words during a time of immense personal tragedy. After losing his four daughters in a shipwreck, Spafford penned these lines while passing over the very spot where they perished:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
His words echo the deep peace that comes from trusting in God’s perfect timing, even when we don’t understand it. Indeed, God wins—and we find our peace in His victory.
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