To say that I was frustrated at the beginning of last week is an understatement. I had a plan…a list of things that I needed to accomplish. And I set a timeline for myself so that I would be able to accomplish my goals in a timely manner. But, as I began my task for the day, it just wasn’t working. I couldn’t figure it out…I mean, I spent hours with no luck. And, by the end of the day I felt like a complete failure. Not only did I not complete my task, I got absolutely nowhere…and my goals seemed to get further and further away.
I was disappointed because my day did not go as planned.
My day ended in defeat. To be honest, I felt like throwing in the towel.
“Who am I kidding, I can’t do this.”
But, as I woke up the next morning, I remembered that I am not alone.
'I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? ''My help comes from the Lord , who made heaven and earth! ''He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 'Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. ' (Psalms 121:1-4 NLT)
I remembered that I have a Helper that called me to this, and because He called me, He will enable me.
If we are to persist in purpose, we must remember that we have a Helper.
We must remember that we have a guide. We don’t have to struggle in defeat. We don’t have to deal with the let downs of our own plans not working out…because His plans never fail.
'There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord ’s counsel—that will stand.' (Proverbs 19:21 NKJV)
'And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out all my plans.” ' (Jeremiah 1:12 NLT)
I was frustrated that my plan had failed, but I realized that I was walking at the wrong pace. I was rushing because I reasoned that a faster pace would accomplish my purpose faster. But what I didn’t realize is that the purposes of the Lord cannot be rushed.
'The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the Lord , will make it happen.”' (Isaiah 60:22)
'So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ' (Galatians 6:9)
As we read the bible, it is clear that there is a right time when it comes to the plan of God.
So, we can’t rush it. We can’t change it. And we can’t circumvent it.
Trying to walk outside of God’s timing only causes frustration.
Have you ever been frustrated that things weren’t going as planned? Have you ever been frustrated because you couldn’t accomplish your goals in the amount of time that you thought you should be able to accomplish them?
I have to admit that I struggle with God’s timing. I have struggled through seasons that were painful. I have struggled with seasons that were hard to endure and understand. And the worst part about it is that there was nothing that I could do about it. I couldn’t change my situation. I couldn’t figure a way out. The only thing that my efforts got me was frustration.
When we rely on God’s timing, we are able to avoid these frustrations.
'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.' (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)
There is a peace that comes with waiting on God. Yes, we want what we want when we want it, but when we stop to acknowledge His plan, we are strengthened to keep going when we might otherwise give up.
When we rely on God’s timing we walk in God’s grace.
God’s plan comes with God’s grace…this includes His protection, His wisdom, His provision, His peace, and His strength.
The truth is that we cannot walk in the purposes of God without the grace of God.
And when we forget this–when we try to walk in God's plan outside of God's timing–we will be frustrated, because we will fail every time.
When we walk in accordance with God’s timing, His grace enables us to walk in purpose.
Joshua chapter 6 shows us a perfect example of what happens when we walk according to God’s timing.
'Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. ''But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. ''You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. ''Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. ''When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” ' (Joshua 6:1-5 NLT)
God’s instructions were specific. He laid out what the Israelites were supposed to do, and when they were supposed to do it. But that is not all, He told them what would happen after their obedience…
“Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” (Joshua 6:5)
The Israelites were successful because they were obedient. They were successful because they walked according to the pace that God set for them.
'When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. ' (Joshua 6:20 NLT)
Now, for a moment I want you to stop and think about your own pace. Are you being patient…walking at the pace that God set for you? Or are you charging ahead…determined to reach your purpose on your own timetable?
Last week, as I sat and thought about my own frustrations, the Holy Spirit told me to calm down. He said, “What’s the rush?”
When we look at Jesus’ life–how he moved, and how he operated– He was never in a rush. Jesus knew that His purpose would be accomplished at just the right time!
What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 NLT)
When the Holy Spirit asked me that question, it stopped me dead in my tracks. I realized that I have been running around in circles–wasting energy– when I could have been enjoying the amazing gifts that God has placed in front of me…
Yes…I have so much purpose ahead of me, but I also have a purpose right here, right now.
What is that purpose?
…To steward over this season by obeying the Lord’s instructions, but after I’ve done all that He’s instructed me to do, I must enjoy life…and you must do the same.
I don’t know where you are in your journey of believing in God, but we all have moments of impatience, and we all have moments of frustration. But, instead of allowing the cycles of impatience and frustration to continue in our lives, we must stop and look around. We must remind ourselves of where we really are.
Where are you?
Yes, there is a purpose that you must accomplish…a promise that you are reaching for, but don’t forget the promise you're living in right now…don’t forget the purpose that you must live out right now.
God has brought you from some place. Maybe He has healed you…delivered you…or blessed you in some way that you once believed for.
Today, I believe the Holy Spirit wants to remind you of the beauty in today. He wants you to take a deep breath and look around. You don’t have to carry the burden of making the promise happen. You don’t have to figure out the future. He’s already done that. Instead, He wants you to enjoy where you are…right here…right now.
You can enjoy where you are now, because He will bring His vision to pass at the right time.
Remember, you are not alone. Your Helper goes before you. He’s right beside you…guiding you, sustaining you, encouraging you, and enabling you. You can depend on His plan. You can depend on His timing. He will not fail you. He will carry you to promise, at the right time.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the promises that you have revealed to me, and thank you for creating me for a purpose. Today, I have been reminded that you not only have a perfect plan for my life, you have a right timing for my life. So today, I have made the decision to submit to your plan and your timing. I have decided that I will lay down the plans that I have made so that I can be obedient and in return, enjoy this life that you have given me with peace instead of frustration. I will seek you for direction. I will trust your process. And I will allow you to lead me into victory. I love you, Father. In the name of Yeshua, the Messiah, I pray, amen.
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