Daily devotion – God’s timing
Why did Jesus Christ came at that specific time in history? Most believe by our reckoning that it was 5 B.C., about a year before the death of Herod the Great. Some 2,000 years had passes since God called Abraham and promised that through his family, Messiah would come and bring blessing to all the families of the world.
Why was there such a long time between the promise and its fulfilment? Paul tells us that God sent His Son “..when the appointed time came..” Galatians 4:4. But Paul gave no hint how the appointed time had been fixed.
Many have speculated but we know that God’s timing is always perfect!
Firstly, there was ‘pax Romana’ in the empire. The Roman legions were everywhere, keeping the peace and protecting travellers from brigands on land and pirates at sea.
Secondly, the Roman Empire had one common language – Greek, it was immensely helpful for evangelism that the Septuagint (the Old Testament in Greek) was available.
Thirdly, there was widespread spiritual hunger. The old gods of Rome had certainly lost their appeal. Many had become attracted to the Jewish monotheism and high ethical standards it taught and practiced.
It was during a period of only 10 years (AD 48-57) that Paul saw the Church established in four Roman provinces of Galatia, Macedonia, Achaia, and Asia.
Paul could claim, “So from Jerusalem all the way around Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ.” – Romans 15:19.
The world was ripe for world evangelisation.
God’s timing is never too early or too late. God knows exactly the right time to move, to bring things into action. So often in our lives we get frustrated because we think God’s timing is all wrong. But God’s timing is always perfect.
“But when the time had fully come…..(in other words when it was perfect time)…God sent His Son.” – Galatians 4:4.
Our lives become so stressed, so anxious when we believe God is not doing what He should be doing when we think He should be doing it!
When we fully trust in God, (Grace) – it is only then that we finally have peace! This week, stop being anxious, God’s timing is perfect, He will do what He needs to do in your life and others around you, exactly at the right time!
Ecc 3:11 He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: ……..also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.