WATCHWORD:
18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20 The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. Matthew 21:18-21
Meditation:
God’s Own Time
Consider this: during the centuries from the days of Joseph in Egypt to the Exodus, the people of Israel, in the land of Goshen portion of Egypt, multiply and their wealth expanded. They met and inter-married with Egyptians, and, turned their backs on worshiping God and adopted the idol worship of Egyptians.
Overtime, the Egyptians enslaved the Israelites out of fear they would take over their land. The enslavement became more and more restrictive and violent. Enter Moses, and the plagues, and finally Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to leave. God’s punishment rained down on Egypt for their idol worship. Not only the loss of most of their army in the Nile, but their loss of millions of slaves that their economy was based on. All the construction and services represented by those people was gone. Paying for their sins in God’s Own Time.
The Israelites were free! Or were they? Heading for the promised land, but 40 years later. Why 40 years to travel a distance of 450 miles? It should have taken that crowd, with their herds, just over five or six weeks. But no one who sinned against God in idol worship would set foot in the Promised Land, not even Moses. 40 years = two full generations, a cleansing in God’s own people, in God‘s Own Time.
We live in a time of impatience. As I sit here, I look out at nearly 20 inches of snow in the backyard and I want it to go away. For three days, my car has been held prisoner in a garage that opens on an alley that has yet to be plowed. We need to get to the grocery store, we’re out of milk among other supplies. Other people have lost power, and we pray for them, but thank goodness, we still have ours. Still, a steady diet of Netflix is getting old. We want to go to Church, to our favorite restaurant, to visit the kids. Come on, Lord, let’s move this along. He will, in God’s Own Time.
God’s Own Time…GOT. We need to adopt that mind set. That and knowing that God is in charge and that He loves us. You may be on CST or EST, or perhaps MST or PST, but you had better get tuned into GOT, because that is the way our lives will unfold.
I’ve been told lots of times “don’t pray for patience because God will give you cause.” But, quite possibly, we are beyond that. Dear Lord, we pray for peace, calmness and patience, knowing full well that you love us and will lead us through this. We rejoice that we are subject to God’s Own Time. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
We have neglected to note the birthdays that have come and gone throughout this Pandemic. Let me correct that right now with an Irish blessing –
“Wishing you a rainbow of sunlight, after showers, miles and miles of Irish smiles, for golden happy hours, shamrocks at your doorway, for luck and laughter too, and a host of friends, that never ends, each day your whole life through.”
Closing Prayer:
Father, I praise You today for all that You have done in my life. You are faithful even when I am faithless. Your love pursues me even when I am unlovable. Your forgiveness covers my sin and frees me from its penalty. I praise You for your love and faithfulness to me. Your presence in my life changes everything, empowering me to live each moment of every day, content in knowing You are in control. As I face today, Lord, remind me that no matter what happens, I can praise You! In Your Name, Amen. –
