Perfect Timing

Introduction: Perfect timing on our part is a fluke. This mornign as Candi was getting ready, I was moving my seat to add some finishing touches to the presentation when she said “I’m done, you don’t have to move, my reply was “are you sure”?. Not so perfect timing. There are those photographers who seem to have perfect timing: See the pictures:

Perfect timing on God’s part is…well it’s perfect. He always knows when something needs to be done in our life. The Bible illustrates God’s timing over and over again and today that is what we are going to focus on.

In today’s message we are going to look at how God’s timing affected those involved at the beginning of the Christmas narrative.

Now it had been almost 400 years between Malachi and the time when John the Baptist comes on the scene. So for 400 we have no written word from God. Sometimes these are known as the dark ages. Does that mean that God wasn’t there? Does it mean that God wasn’t speaking? Does it mean that God’s people didn’t believe in Him? Does it mean that they quit worshipping and following His laws? No it doesn’t. But we know one thing is for sure, the world as they knew it was much like ours today in the fact that it was chaotic, self-centered, and sin filled. God knew it was time. It was time for His son to come to the earth, God in the flesh. He knew it was time that they had a living example. he knew it was time for the Savior of the world to be born. Everything lined up perfectly. The place was right, the people involved were right where they were supposed to be, the time of year was right. Everything was just right for the announcement of the coming king! God was ready…but what about the people involved? Did they think it was perfect timing?

Transition: Let’s begin our study today by looking at Elizabeth and Zacharias

I. Zacharias and Elizabeth- The reaction to a blessing after years of prayer and Godly living

Perfect timing is shown with Zacharias as see by the choosing of lots to be chosen to burn incense in the temple. This was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity.

shows us Zacharias’ fear as he sees the angel Gabriel in the temple

shows us Zachariah's doubt

shows us the certainty of God’s word when brought by his messengers

Elizabeth-

shows us the reaction of Elizabeth when she is with child; joy amazement, exuberant, thankful!

Transition: What about Mary and Joseph? Their reactions are a bit different:

II. Mary and Joseph- The reaction to a blessing before they were ready

Mary-

shows that Mary was surprised

shows the pressure that was put on her

shows the confusion that Mary had to the angel’s news.

shows the acceptance of the news told, the trust that she had in God.

is Mary’s prayer of remembrance which shows her complete joy in God and what he was about to accomplish in her life.

Joseph-

we find Joseph’s reaction toward Mary when he finds out she is pregnant.

shows us that Joseph was not an act first, think later type of man.

Matthew 2:24 shows Joseph’s obedience to the instructions of the angel.

Transition: When it comes to God’s timing we are not always ready for what he is about to put in our life. Our timing is not God’s timing and how we react to it can show our level of spiritual maturity. The Bible is full of references that show God’s perfect timing:

We can look at Moses and how he was spared as a baby. We can look at Daniel in the Lions den, or Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and how they were spared from the fiery furnace. What about Abraham and Isaac. God sent a replacement sacrifice at just the precise time to spare Isaac from certain death. There was the raising of Lazarus, and Peter’s escape from prison. Not to mention all the ones who were delivered from trials, tribulations, and sickness.

The question could be raised, “what can we learn from these people today?”.

Have you ever felt that God has forgotten you?

Have you ever given up on a prayer and just said to yourself, “well the answer must be no”.

Have you ever been shocked by news that you received?

Have you ever been worried about what others will think about the situation you are going through.

You are not alone. We have seen here today that these 4 people, who God blessed greatly, had many of these same concerns and fears, doubts and questions when they were presented with their news.

III. The Main Point- God’s timing is perfect. When we receive news that we aren’t ready for, when God allows us to go through these times, there are a few outcomes that we benefit from and that he receives the glory from:

Your prayer life increases

Your dependence on Him increases

Your faith increases.

Conclusion: When trying times in your life arise, you may not get an angel to come announce to you that God is with you, but you do have the Holy Spirit there to comfort you.