This past week of mid-July, my Scripture reading plan had me reading the book of Isaiah. As I read chapter 21 in the Amplified version, verse 16 stood out to me. Isaiah’s writing in previous verses spoke of God’s plan, specifically His plan to deal with rebellious, wicked nations. Note the last phrase of verse 16: “For the Lord has said this to me, “Within a year, according to the years of a hired man [who will work no longer than was agreed], all the splendor of [the tribe] of Kedar will end.” Doesn’t sound much like good news.
So, the encouragement that stood out to me? It’s that middle
phrase clarified by the Amplified in brackets.
The plans of the Lord God Almighty happen—not one day late
nor one day early, not even one minute late nor even one minute early. God’s
timing is perfect, never too long, never too short. He is always on time.
Always and exactly.
Whatever the plan of God entails, He Himself said, “Just as
I have intended, so it has certainly happened, and just as I have planned so it
will stand.” (Isaiah 14:21 AMP) Did you catch that the tense of His words is
past, is accomplished already?
That means, as Christ Followers, we can be sure that
statement is not just true of the punishment of those who reject the Lord, but
it is true of us. Every moment of our life is timed perfectly on the schedule
of our lives for His good purpose—never too early and never too late. It’s just
as Paul wrote—
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is
deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for
good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and
purpose. … What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who
can be [successful] against us? (Romans 8:28, 31 AMP)
For this reason, we can be encouraged and have peace in the
craziness of this land of the living. The perfect peace of Christ, our God of
peace, is ours as we keep our mind steadfastly committed and focused on Him in
both inclination and character (See Isaiah 26:3 AMP), as we abide in God’s love
which Jesus Himself and the Apostle John both urge of us.
It’s the same peace indicated by Isaiah 66:12, “This is what
the Lord says: “I will give her peace that will flow to her like a river. The
wealth of the nations will come flowing to her. Like babies you will be nursed
and held in my arms. You will be bounced on my knees.” (International Children’s
Bible)
So, as you face all that this life throws at you each day
and just want to throw it back, remember the Sovereign Creator God who
orchestrated—from the beginning—the path of each star to mark out the signs and
seasons for the people of this earth. He has a plan for you within all the
happenings of this life that is perfectly timed for you. Let His peace amidst
those things be a flood of peace washing over you.
And keep in mind that the One who sent you into the storm
has a great purpose. It’s in the storms of life that we get to see the glory of
our God while we grow from faith to faith. So, rest in the fact that the One
whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is on earth has got you! Amen and
amen!
