It can mean you are group C instead of group A boarding a Southwest Airlines flight. 3 minutes. Even just 30 seconds. That’s how much later you checked in for the flight online than all the other people reserving their boarding position.
Timing is everything. So what timing are you trying to manage right now?
I need to make final arrangements to list my house for sale, so that I can close on it the same day as closing on the purchase of a new house in Pflugerville. Maybe for you it’s related to the timing of a new year for pursuing new habits, or the timing of a job transition, or the timing of a decision about finances or a critical conversation.
Here’s the reality. Sometimes we want to speed things up when God is trying to slow them down. And sometimes we want to slow down when God wants us to speed up. And sometimes, we worry too much about precise timing—slow or speedy—when God is good either way and wants us to focus on other things.
So how do we know the difference? How do we agree more with God’s timing instead of arguing for what we believe is right?
David shows us how in Psalm 31. “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love” (vv. 14-16).
You’ll agree more with God’s timing when you focus less on whether or not God is pressing the pause or play button in your life, and focus more on God himself.
“God, Should I stay or should I go now? Should I wait or should I act now? God, what do you say? Which is better?” This is a good prayer. A necessary prayer. David prayed it, and found God’s clear answer for all of us.
Trust in God (“I trust in you … my times are in your hands”) is more important than knowledge about timing. Relationship with God (“you are my God”) is more important than right timing. Pursuing God (“in you, Lord, I have taken refuge,” v. 1) is more important than any enemy or lie or sin pursuing you.
Your identity (known, chosen, delivered, saved, delighted in, loved) and God’s identity (faithful, forgiving, Father, deliverer, smiles when he thinks of you, Savior) mean there is no timing that can mess you up, even if you miss it. Because God will never miss taking care of you, in all things, at all times.
So, not only can you rejoice, “God’s got this,” but more meaningfully, “God’s got me.” This allows you to make a decision about timing not based on fear, but on faith. Not on your own greed, but in order to glorify God. Not from worry, but for worship.
PRAYER: Dear God of perfect timing, you never miss a deadline, act too quickly, or overcommit yourself on your calendar. The grace and guidance of your timing is something I need in the year ahead. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Commit to just 5 minutes of time in Psalm 31 right now. Go ahead, set your alarm now. Good … now get started here with #1.
- Before you read Psalm 31:1-5 note this: David rejoices in God as his rock and fortress, to come quickly to his rescue and lead him. But rocks and fortresses can’t move, can’t come to people, can’t step forward in the right direction! So focus on v. 5 where David explains this. God is deliverer, safety, and guide when David commits himself to God. In other words, when David lives in the fortress, when David stands on the rock, when David follows God’s truth. Go ahead and read vv. 1-5 now.
- What happens in your life because of this? What do your decisions look like? What are your priorities? How would others describe you? Read vv. 6-8 now. Then complete these statements: I can trust in God completely because (v. 6) ____________. I can live with more joy because (v. 7) _____________. I can be more free from worry and fear because (v. 8) _____________.