And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. (Luke 2:6 NLT)

We manage time; we waste time. We spend time, and we save time. We wish the time would come; we wish the time would pass. We see time fly, and we feel time drag. We watch clocks and carry calendars, creating the illusion that we somehow control time, yet all the while moments flow forward like a mighty river that cannot be stopped, harnessed, or re-routed.

Yet God controls time. He created time and we, his creations, are fenced by his time, directed and guided by his holy and loving hand. Do you think God was surprised that «while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born?»

We're often surprised by unexpected developments in our lives, yet the Bible teaches that God is never surprised, even in the most disastrous turn of events. How would your faith differ if you believed God was not surprised by your current circumstances and that he's working, at this moment, for a holy and healthy conclusion?

What does this mean?

· God is always on time, at just the right time – George Mueller, the great prayer warrior from the 19^th century, once waited on a dock for a special chair to be delivered. He had a bad back and needed the chair for the ocean voyage ahead of him. When the departure time grew close and the chair still had not arrived, Mueller’s friends offered to buy a substitute chair, but Mueller said no – «Either God will provide the chair, or he’ll give grace to do without it.» Like a Hollywood ending, the chair arrived just in time, right on time. Mueller noted, «If the chair had arrived earlier, we might have dismissed the provision of God.» This Christmas, point out the provisions of God when you see them.

· What if you were certain God would provide? – How would you act, think, and live differently if you were absolutely certain God was at the end of the deadline? That is, even if there were mere seconds left, you still believed with certainty that God was working through your circumstancesí Believing he’s there and about to provide is the essence of faith. Tell God, «I believe; help my unbelief.»

· Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) – Time cannot diminish Christ’s love for you or his power to work within your life. He is there in the past; he is here in the now; and he is there in your future.

· A thousand years are like a few hours to God (Psalm 90:4) – God is working to bring you into eternity, not just to get you through the end of next week. Praise God for his grace and for a love so strong that he wants you to spend an eternity with him.

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.