As Abraham, David and countless others have shown in The Bible, not everything happens quickly or easily in this life. Nevertheless, God’s timing remains perfect.
by Darrell Allen
Several times in the Word of God, there appears a little phrase that reads simply, “over the course of time.” It can mean a few days, a few months and, in some cases, a few years. Some things in life just take time. Not everything happens quickly or easily. Over the past several months, Americans have experienced a nationwide health crisis that has affected families, business, schools, restaurants and even churches.
Waiting out the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for us all. We hope and pray it will end soon, but as of today, it continues. I believe our real challenge as people of God involves how we handle the waiting. In the Book of Genesis, God promises Abraham a son, but it was actually 25 years before that son was given to Abraham and Sarah. In the Book of Samuel, we see Samuel go to the House of Jesse and anoint a young shepherd boy to be king. However, it was actually 15 years before David took the throne.
“I say this to my congregation all the time: ‘We’re a microwave generation serving a Crock-Pot kind of God.’”
Central Church Senior Pastor Darrell Allen
What do we see Abraham do during those 25 years? He continues to serve and honor God, and he is even referred to as a friend of God. What do we see David do during those 15 years? He continues to serve, honor and sing praises to his God. We all have to realize, as Abraham and David did, that during the “course of time,” God is preparing us for the tasks that are set before us. When we continue to serve and honor God and remain faithful to Him during difficult and uncertain times, He blesses us and honors our faithfulness in amazing ways.
God often uses “the course of time” to strengthen and prepare us for battle. I say this to my congregation all the time: “We’re a microwave generation serving a Crock-Pot kind of God.” Do not despise God’s timing, which is always perfect. Think about Joshua. In Joshua 1:1, I am certain he thought to himself, “Lord, this is not the right time to change leaders and ask me to lead all these people.” However, Joshua had learned over “the course of time” to trust God and His timing. God had prepared Joshua through Moses to lead these people and fulfill his destiny. God reassured Joshua in Joshua 1:5–6, where he promises, “As I was with Moses, so will I be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and very courageous.”
I challenge you, as I do my congregation at Central Church every week, to be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10). Remember that the enemy cannot take you out, so he will try to wear you out. However, God continues to birth some amazing things in his people today, just as he did with Abraham; and just like with King David, giants still fall. It might take a little longer than we think it should, but “greater is He that’s in us than he that’s in this world” (1 John 4:4). “We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:37). Don’t despise the quiet or the seemingly stormy times. God is always up to something, and I want to be found faithful to Him over the “course of time.”
Darrell Allen is the senior pastor at Central Church in Covington. Visit mycc2.org or call 770-385-3452 to learn more.
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