Today’s Reading: Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:14-15, John 4:43-54

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” – Mark 1:14-15

After Jesus heard that Herod had thrown John the Baptist in prison, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. But before leaving for Galilee, Jesus performed many miraculous signs in Jerusalem (John 3:23). John does not give us details regarding those miracles but he does give us the results — many began to trust in him.

Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. – Luke 4:14-15

John goes on to tell us in detail about the second miracle that Jesus performed in Galilee:

As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die…

Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” Then the father realized that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. – John 4:46-54

GOD’S TIMING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

It is often in the timing of an event or miracle in our lives where our faith is strengthened the most. The miracle itself is incredible, but it is the timing of God’s movement that confirms that it is God Himself at work. The suggestion of coincidence is weak while the evidence of God’s supernatural action on our behalf is obvious.

I see two elements of timing in this account written by John. The first is that Jesus arrived in Galilee just as the government official’s son became very sick. Secondly, the boy was healed at the very time when Jesus had said the words, “Your son will live.”

For most of my life, I have heard the saints in the church say, “God is always on time. He’s never late and He’s never early.” I have found that to be true in my own life, but I must admit it is not always easy to patiently wait for God’s timing. It is in these moments of waiting that our faith grows.

IT IS IN THE WAITING THAT GOD HAS OUR ATTENTION AND IT IS IN HIS PERFECT TIMING THAT WE LEARN TO TRUST IN HIM.

Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14

I am learning each day how to trust in God in new ways. In every season of my life, God stretches me. I am confident that I am only at the beginning of all He is about to teach me. I am not sure exactly what is ahead for me this year, but I am sure that I can trust Him. His timing is always perfect and so I plan to give Him my attention as I wait patiently for Him.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. – 2 Peter 3:8

In what ways has God shown up for you throughout your life? Can you look back and see the evidence of God’s movement on your behalf at exactly the right time? While you wait patiently for the Lord to answer your prayers, hold tight to the memories of God’s faithfulness throughout your life. Press on in confidence that God is never late and He is never early.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. – Galatians 6:9