God's Timing Is Good Timing

Normally it takes only 11 days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadeshbarnea, by going way of Mount Seir. But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the 11th month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say. -Deuteronomy 1:2-3

I can just imagine the Israelites as they were being led out of Egypt. Their prayers had finally been heard! God was removing them from a living hell full of torture, unfair treatment, poor living conditions and dangerous work environments, all by the hands of the one person who was supposed to be leading them and watching over them. As time went on they began questioning God and doubting His provision on their walk to freedom. What they most likely thought would be a short walk ended up taking 40 years. A walk that should have lasted just under two weeks, took 40 years to complete. We have to wonder where on earth they went and did they walk in circles, did they pass by landmarks more than once, wondering what kind of wild goose chase they were on? We will never really know those answers but what we can learn from this long walk is that God is on His own time schedule. Sometimes what looks like an answer becomes a journey to deeper understanding, a softer heart or a changed attitude. Often, when God takes us someplace, it is never about where He is taking us, but more about what happens along the way. God clearly had some hearts to prepare in that journey to the promised land. He is in the business of changing hearts, and only He can do so, only He knows what is needed. Next time you are in a place of needing answers don’t spend so much time trying to dictate when, where and how they will take place. Just let go and let God do the work. Let him take you on a wild goose chase. Grab His hand and walk with Him down the dark and seemingly long road and pay attention to the details in that walk. Your answers will be found in those dark places and in the unexpected twists and turns. God is always good and He will always come through for you, He is just never on the same time as you are, and that, my friend is perfectly perfect. Let God’s timing teach you and grow you and change your life.