How can I be sure of God’s timing?

December 5th, 2020

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Luke 1:18-25, NIV

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth has very special meaning for me.  As some of you know, Jim and I struggled with infertility for the first 10 years of our marriage. In the years since that time of waiting, praying, doubting, hoping and giving up, I have reflected on this text almost every Advent. And God always reveals new truths each time. This time, I kept thinking of how it feels like Zechariah is punished for his doubt in God’s ability to answer his prayer. When God reveals to Zechariah that his prayer will be answered and Zechariah’s reply is “How can I be sure of this?”, we get a glimpse of our human nature to doubt and be so impatient; we feel this overwhelming need to ask God not only for the answer we want but also for it to come when we want it. 

Soren Kierkegaard said, “The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” I love this and believe it to be true, but like Zechariah, my prayer for a child was meant to influence God and not change my nature of impatience. Life has taught me very few things can really be forced before their time and coming to appreciate the difference between God’s time and my time is essential to becoming more Christ-like.

I think Zechariah learned a lesson about his need to change his human nature to doubt and control God while he was unable to speak. Would we accept that kind of hardship in order to learn more about God’s timing and will for our lives? Are we willing to pray in order to change our own nature of impatience and disbelief? 

Joan Chittister says, “God’s time is what prepares us to function well in our time.”  This Advent season let’s prepare, prepare, prepare and then wait for God’s good time.

Recall a time when you tried to force your timing on God.  Did it work, and what did you learn about God’s timing and will for your life?

Prayer: All knowing God, give me what I need but only when you know I am ready to receive it.  May it be so.

Denise Kilgore