God’s Perfect Timing
Zechariah, who received a message from an angel that first Christmas, was a priest. And in those days there were so many priests, that each division only got to serve in the temple twice a year. Your chance, as a priest, of getting chosen to enter into the holy of holies to perform the priestly duty there was very slim.
The chances that Zechariah would be the priest on duty that day were miniscule. Not only did it “happen” to be his priestly division’s bi-yearly Sabbath to do the work in the temple, but he “happened” to get selected by lot to be the one doing the work that day: “Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” (Luke 1:8–9 NIV11).
“By lot”? By chance?
Or by the hand of God!!!?!
God's Timing and Our Preparedness: Zechariah and Elizabeth's Example
It seems to me as I read the Bible that for the most part, God leaves people to make their own decisions without interfering. Hence the sin and brokenness in the world – humans have free will, and so for many, they use that for evil.
But then there are times in the Bible where God seems to intervene directly. Why he does it at some times and not others is a mystery. Why God miraculously stops accidents and changes things on some occasions but doesn’t step in on other occasions – I just don’t know.
But I believe this, I believe God always has a way of bringing His timing into every situation. Sometimes we push ahead and do our own things but he still finds a way for His will to come into play. His timing in perfect.
And here’s what I believe: God’s timing is often linked to our own preparedness. Sometimes we are convinced that we are ready for God to do XYZ in our lives, and it doesn’t happen. Later, we realize that we weren’t ready at all. Other times, we’re convinced we aren’t ready or capable but God uses us anyway.
Notice the character of Zechariah and Elizabeth: “Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly” (Luke 1:6 NIV11). They were ready. They had so grown in grace, and in their relationship with God, that they were prepared for the blessings he was going to bring.
Preparing for God's Perfect Timing This Christmas
How about us this Christmas? Are we walking closely, blamelessly with God? Have we turned from our sin and made a habit of killing it daily? Have we committed to good works and good deeds to bring the message of Jesus to the world? Are we blameless in the sight of the Lord?
God’s desire for us is to be holy and blameless. And when we are, He can work with us! His timing is not just by chance - that lot didn’t fall on Zechariah by chance – he had been destined for this moment! And his own preparation had paid off.
Are you waiting for God to move in your life, this Christmas? The lot will fall in your favour… when the time is right.
Meantime, prepare your heart! Repent and turn to him! Live blamelessly through the Spirit of God! Because it’s when you are ready in God’s eyes, that he will make that move.
