In His Time

Daily Reading: John 2

“Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied.  “My time has not yet come.” (John 2.4, NIV)

Devotional Thought:  The wine had run out.  The guests were thirsty.  Jesus’ mother, a "helper" hoping to save their host from humiliation, expectantly told Jesus that they had run out of wine.  Jesus responded by gently reminding her that his time had not yet come. 

Jesus' reason for hesitancy at this wedding feast is due to his complete submission to God’s timing for his ministry.  He is seen at later times retreating from places after performing miracles, knowing the minds of both the people who believed in him and those who didn’t.  The group who did not believe he was the Son of God saw him as a blasphemer and wanted him dead.  Though Jesus knew that was his fate, he also knew that it needed to happen within his Father’s timing.  The group who did believe in him “began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.’  Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself” (John 6.14-15, NIV).  Jesus did not want to be seen as a political activist or a military figure.  He clearly states in John 18.36 (NLT) that “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom.”

Sometimes we try to hurry the hand of God, don't we?  But, if we just step back a moment, we can remember that God has a purpose and a schedule for achieving that purpose.  Just as Jesus trusted the Father’s will and timing, we also may trust in him.

Jenny Wade

Prayer: "In your time.  In your time.  You make all things beautiful in your time.  Lord, please show me every day, as you're teaching me your way, that you do just what you say in your time."  Amen.  (Maranatha! Music)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 34.15-22

15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.