Trusting God's timing in our life

Rick Warren

DECEMBER 22-24, 2018

WHAT JESUS’ BIRTH TELLS US ABOUT GOD’S TIMING

1. GOD HAS A  

Timetable

FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS.

“There is AN APPOINTED TIME for everything, and there is A RIGHT TIME for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NAB) 

“When THE RIGHT TIME came, God sent his Son to earth, born of a woman and living under the law, so that his Son could pay for our freedom from the law, and adopt us as his children into God’s family!”Galatians 4:3-5  

2. GOD DOES NOT TELL US  

details

IN ADVANCE.

“God has given us a desire to know the future. He always does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing.”Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NCV)  

Jesus: “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.” Acts 1:7 (Mes)  

3. GOD IS NEVER  

in a hurry

AND HE’S  

never late

GOD: “The vision WILL happen at the time I have appointed. It moves steadily toward its goal and it will not be proven false. If it seems slow or delayed, just wait for it! It will certainly happen. It will not be late!”Habakkuk 2:3  

4. GOD’S TIMING IS NOT ALWAYS  

convenient for me

“At that time, Caesar Augustus ordered all people under Roman rule to return to their hometown to register in a census . . . So, Joseph took Mary with him to Bethlehem, and by this time she was very pregnant . . . In Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.”Luke 2:1-6  

5. AT THE RIGHT TIME GOD CAN  DO ANYTHING INSTANTLY.  

GOD: “I am the Lord, so when the right time comes, I will make it all happen quickly!” Isaiah 60:22 (TEV)  

GOD: “At the RIGHT TIME I will answer your prayers!” Isaiah 49:8 (NCV) 

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO WHILE I WAIT?

Fear not!

Fret not!

Forget not!

Faint not!

1. FEAR NOT... TRUST GOD.

Jesus “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.” Mark 5:36 (NLT)  

“I trust in you Lord. You are my God and my times are in your hands.” Psalm 31:14-15 (NIV)  

“I pray to you, Lord, so when the time is right, please answer me and help me with your wonderful love.” Psalm 69:13 (CEV)  

2. FRET NOT:   BE PATIENT AND HUMBLE.

“Wait and trust the Lord! DON’T FRET when others prosper or their dishonest plans succeed. And don’t get angry or upset – it only leads to trouble.”Psalm 37:7-8 

“DON'T FRET or worry. Instead of worrying, pray! Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” Philemon 4:6 (Mes)  

“Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, so that he can lift you up at just THE RIGHT TIME!” 1 Peter 5:6 (TEV)  

3. FORGET NOT:  

STUDY GOD'S PROMISES

“IF you keep looking closely into God’s perfect Word that sets people free, and you keep on studying it, and you DON’T FORGET it, and you put it into daily practice – you will be BLESSED by God in all you do!”James 1:25  

“Happy are those who . . . find joy in obeying the Word of the Lord, and they study it day and night. They’re like trees that grow strong beside a stream, and bear fruit at the RIGHT TIME and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do!”Psalm 1:1-3 (TEV) 

4. FAINT NOT:  

DON'T GIVE UP

“We must never get tired of doing what is right and good, for AT THE RIGHT TIME we will reap a harvest of blessing IF we don’t give up, or quit.”Galatians 6:9 

IT’S ALWAYS THE RIGHT TIME FOR 2 THINGS:

• TO COME BACK HOME TO GOD

“Now is the time to change your ways and come back to God so he can wipe away your sins, and pour out showers of blessing to refresh you.”Acts 3:19 (Mes)  

• TO ACCEPT THE SAVING GRACE OF JESUS

“Jesus gave himself to pay for the sins of everyone. He is the proof that God wants all of us to be saved. And that proof came at the RIGHT TIME.”1 Timothy 2:6 (ICB)