At the Appointed Time, I Will Return
Genesis 18:14 (NKJV):
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
The story of Sarah and Abraham reminds us that God operates within His divine timeline. While human impatience often seeks to rush God’s plans, His timing is perfect and sovereign. Let us explore this theme, emphasizing that nothing is too hard for the Lord, yet everything unfolds according to His appointed time.
Nothing Is Too Hard for the Lord
Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV):
“Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.”
This declaration by Jeremiah underscores God’s omnipotence. If He created the heavens and the earth, no promise is too complex, no situation too dire, and no heart too hardened for Him to redeem or transform.
Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV):
“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
God does not simply perform miracles to show His power. His actions align with His purpose, revealing that His greatness is coupled with divine wisdom. While God can do anything, He chooses to act according to His perfect plan and appointed time.
Application:
Trust in God’s ability to do the impossible must also be accompanied by trust in His timing. Faith means believing not only that He can but also that He will, at the right time.
The Appointed Time
God operates according to His divine calendar, not ours. He sets specific times for His promises to be fulfilled. In the case of Sarah, God promised her a son, but that promise required waiting.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV):
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven…”
This passage provides a poetic reminder that life is a series of seasons, each governed by God’s sovereign will. There is a time for joy and a time for sorrow, a time for planting and a time for harvest.
Key Insight:
When God appoints a time, He ensures that every element aligns with His purpose. For Sarah and Abraham, the delay in receiving their son was not a denial but preparation. Isaac was not just a child of promise but a symbol of God’s covenant faithfulness, fulfilled at the divinely appointed moment.
Reflection Question:
Are you willing to wait on God’s timing, trusting that He knows when you are ready to receive His promise?
Human Impatience vs. Divine Timing
One of the greatest challenges we face is learning to wait. Often, in our impatience, we attempt to “help” God fulfill His promises, much like Sarah and Abraham did when they involved Hagar in their efforts to produce an heir (Genesis 16).
The Consequence of Rushing God’s Plan:
Their decision led to conflict, heartache, and unintended consequences. Ishmael, born out of human effort, became a source of tension, whereas Isaac, born at God’s appointed time, was the child of promise.
Key Insight:
When we rush ahead of God, we often create complications. His plans are always better than ours, but they require faith and patience.
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV):
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
Application:
Waiting on God is not passive; it is an active trust that He is working behind the scenes. Instead of striving to “help” Him, we should align ourselves with His word and prepare for the fulfillment of His promises.
Lessons from Sarah’s Wait
Sarah’s story is one of hope and redemption. Despite her initial doubt and laughter at God’s promise (Genesis 18:12-13), she ultimately received what had been promised.
Hebrews 11:11 (NKJV):
“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
This verse highlights an important truth: God’s faithfulness, not Sarah’s faith, was the ultimate cause of the promise being fulfilled. Even in her doubt, God’s plan prevailed.
Encouragement for Today:
Even when our faith falters, God’s faithfulness remains steadfast. He fulfills His promises not because of our perfection but because of His character.
Trusting God’s Appointed Time in Our Lives
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God’s Timing Is Perfect:
God does not delay without purpose. His timing ensures that we are prepared to receive His blessings. Just as Sarah and Abraham had to wait until the right moment for Isaac, we too must trust in God’s timing. -
God’s Promises Require Faith:
Faith is not just believing that God can but also trusting that He will—at the right time. Sarah’s story reminds us that even when the promise seems impossible, God remains faithful. -
Patience Brings Maturity:
The waiting season is often a time of growth and preparation. Romans 5:3-4 teaches us that “tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” -
Avoid Striving:
When we attempt to manipulate circumstances to fulfill God’s promises, we create unnecessary complications. Instead, we must rest in the assurance that He is in control.
Living in the Tension of Waiting
Waiting on God is one of the most challenging aspects of faith. Yet, it is also one of the most rewarding. When we learn to trust in God’s appointed time, we experience His peace, even in seasons of uncertainty.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV):
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
A Call to Trust
As you reflect on the story of Sarah, consider the areas in your life where you are waiting on God. Are you trusting in His appointed time, or are you tempted to take matters into your own hands?
God’s word reminds us that He is faithful. His promises will come to pass, but they will come at the right time. Trust Him, for nothing is too hard for the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV):
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Closing Reflection:
To everything, there is a season. Trust the One who holds the seasons in His hands. At the appointed time, He will return, and His promise will be fulfilled.
