Our son, Micah, was recently traveling to his girlfriend’s college to visit. As he was talking to me on his Bluetooth device, I heard a loud noise and he let out a gasp. I said, “What was that?” He responded, “That was a large pothole.” We continued to talk until he said, “Dad, I’m going to have to go, my car is shaking.” I instructed him to get off to the side of the road and check his tires. I was soon informed he had a flat tire. Nancy and I were three hours away from him and could not rush to his aid.
We continued to talk and discuss his game plan for changing the tire or getting some assistance. As we were talking, Micah said, “Dad, a tow truck driver is pulling up behind me.” I said, “Great! See if he will help you with changing the tire. Also, see if he knows where you can get a different tire before business closing time.” The tow truck driver changed the tire and did not ask for any kind of payment. He also called a tire shop up the road about 20-minutes to assure they had the right tire and could get the tire replaced before the end of the day.
The tow truck driver was truly a God-send. When Micah offered him cash for his services, the tow truck driver said, “I am really busy right now, but God told me to stop and help you. I am here because God told me to stop.” God used the tow truck driver who was obedient to God’s voice to be an answer to the prayer we were praying. Though we could not be there to help, God showed up in the hands and feet of this tow truck driver.
There is an old saying about God’s timing: “God is never in a hurry, and he’s never late. He’s always on time.” Even when I feel as though God may be delayed or it seems God is not where I want God to be, God is working everything out in His time.
There is a chorus we often sang on Sunday night worship when I was a kid entitled, In His Time. The lyrics are:
In his time, in his time
He makes all things beautiful
In his time
Lord please show me everyday
As you’re teaching me your way
That you do just what you say
In your time
I am thankful for God’s timing. He works in mysterious ways to come alongside of us in our daily lives. In Genesis we read about Joseph’s life which was filled with struggles and what may have been seen as God’s absence. Yet, at the end of Joseph’s life he said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20). God sends people to help us in times of need, whether it is spiritual, mental, emotional, relational, or physical. Consider the Ethiopian eunuch who Philip engaged on the desert road. In Acts 8 we read, “An angel of the Lord said to him [Philip], ‘Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority…” The account continues, “The Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over and walk along beside the carriage’” (vv. 26-27, 30).
Though it is often difficult to wait for God during my present need, I know God is faithful to be on time. I am grateful for God’s timing and pray for my own patience and perseverance when God’s timing seems slower than my desired outcome. How has God been “on time” in your life?
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are always on time. Help me be patient, knowing you are nearby working out your plan. Thank you for being on time in my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.