God’s timing is always—always—right! Not always understood, not always easily accepted, but always right. God is faithful—always faithful. Even when we doubt, He is faithful.
“Timing” and “faithful” are two words that have been going around in my head. As I continue to pray about the future days and that huge idea of leaving a legacy and finishing strong, these two words, “timing” and “faithful,” are somehow at the forefront.
“Come to the Table,” our sub-theme for the year, has forced me to consider timing. Is it the right time? Is the Territory ready to sit side by side and honestly share about the strengths, effectiveness, and future possibilities of The Salvation Army in Southern Africa? Is it confusing the “Side by Side” Strategic Framework?
But my God is faithful… He has prepared the table. God has proved Himself (not that He needs to), but He has proved His faithfulness to me over and over and over again—in the little things and the huge matters. So, as we courageously accept the invitation to “Come to the Table,” we do it trusting His timing and His faithfulness.
I had finished some time “at the table” with my Father. I checked my tablet and read a short thought titled “22 Miles…” referring to the passage in John 4:43–54. It is a well-known story of the healing of the official’s son. But the detail the writer highlighted (and I am so sorry I did not save the post) was the distance the official travelled—either by foot, donkey, or horseback. He travelled about 30+ kilometres from his town, Capernaum, to Cana, where Jesus was, to ask—to beg—the prophet to come with him back to his house (another 30+ kilometres) and heal his son.
They have a conversation, and then Jesus responds, “Go; your son will live.” And the Scripture records, “The man took Jesus at His word and departed.”
Just like that… He had walked 30+ kilometres, and now Jesus tells him to go back again—another 30+ kilometres.
The story goes on. While travelling back, he receives the message that his son is well and that the fever left him at the exact time, the day before (that’s how long he had been walking), that Jesus told him, “Your son will live.” And “he and his whole household believed.”
He was walking 30+ kilometres (more than 60 km in total), trusting in the timing and faithfulness of God. He was not yet regarded as a believer (the story says that after the healing he believed), but he obeyed when Jesus told him, “Go; your son will live.” I wonder, as he walked, whether he had doubts and questions. Are the stories really true about this prophet? Can He really do this? If He cared so much, why did He not come and walk with me? We may never know his thoughts, fears, frustrations, beliefs, and doubts, but we salute his willingness and trust to “take Jesus at His word.”
I am praying for you on your journey, your walk, as I also pray for The Salvation Army Southern Africa Territory. I am praying that we will take Jesus at His Word—He is faithful—and that you will go, obey, and be a witness to His timing. I pray that through our actions and our response to the faithfulness of our God, we will walk along the paths He has laid out for us, trusting in Him for ourselves and for those who will believe because of our testimony and for the mission of The Salvation Army.
We have stories to tell of God’s faithfulness, His timing, and His great love… and I believe very strongly that we also have new stories to write.
The song “Waymaker” includes the lyrics, “Even when I don’t see it, You’re working. Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working.” When I am walking in faith, perhaps along difficult and lengthy roads, through valleys, beside rivers, and even in the mud, I go simply but profoundly, with His promise in my heart, trusting the Waymaker. As I follow His direction, I find where He has prepared a table for me, and He invites me to come, take a seat, rest, enjoy His hospitality, and trust His timing and His faithfulness.
Have a great day—and “go” do what He is calling you to do and leading you to do. Because no matter the distance you have to travel, no matter your own 30-kilometre journey, our God is faithful, His timing is right, and He loves you.
Blessings.