"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:4-5
It was Henry Ward Beecher, if my aging memory serves me right, who was discovered by his wife one day pacing his study in a very agitated manner and inquired what the trouble was. The preacher replied something like, "Oh, nothing, really; it's just that I am in a hurry, and God is not."
In and throughout all creation, time is under God's control, and He acts with precision. Solomon said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven [Eccl. 3:1]." Nowhere is God's precise timing more evident than with respect to the incarnation of Christ. Our text reads, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son…" There are two things to remember. First, that which the coming of Christ revealed, namely God's redemptive plan for saving sinners, was determined sometime in eternity past. Christ is referred to as "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world [Rev. 13:8]." The script was written with the finger of God before Adam walked in the Garden of Eden.
The second thing to note, however, is that God had His own designated moment for the revelation of that glorious event to the time-bound world of men and things. For thousands of years Christ stood in the wings, so to speak, waiting for His cue to step on the stage of planet earth. We cannot fathom the wisdom that defined when that moment should occur, but of this we may be assured; He did not come too late, nor a moment too soon. He came, as someone has paraphrased it, "when the time was right."
This principle of divine precision and control of the events of time carries over into our lives, and with particular reference to believers. It is especially illustrated in the life of Christ. Challenged by His brothers, who "did [not] believe in Him," to go to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles, He said to them, "My time is not yet come…go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come." Yet shortly thereafter He did go up. (Cf. John 7:1-10) What is thus made evident is that in the divine plan there was not only a precise time for the incarnation, but also for the crucifixion. Only eternity will reveal why, in the wisdom of God, those precise moments were chosen, but they are indicative of a divine timetable, and He will act neither early not late.
The psalmist recognized this principle as applying to the believer's life: "My times are in Thy hands… [Ps. 31:15a]. "Reflecting on this verse one long ago remarked, "The hand of Jesus is the hand which rules our times. He regulates our life clock." As carefully as He regulated the life of His only begotten Son, God governs the times and experiences of life for those who have become His adopted sons by faith in Jesus Christ. If you are waiting for God to work in some area or need in your life, remember this principle. When the time is right, He will reveal His will and discover His purpose. Till then, wait patiently for the Lord.
There is, of course, another significant and loftier aspect of God's government of time, and that pertains to the return of Christ. Just as His promised first coming was delayed until "the time was right," so will it be with His return. He is coming again, and as with His first coming, He will be neither early nor late. He said to His inquiring disciples, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power [Acts 1:7]." Our challenge is not to determine the time of His return, but to be faithful all the time, until He comes.
"And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." I John 2:28
And remember this: If you are not saved, NOW is the time for you to trust Christ as your Savior. Tomorrow could be too late, in God's "fulness of the time!"
Yours for HIS glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
It was Henry Ward Beecher, if my aging memory serves me right, who was discovered by his wife one day pacing his study in a very agitated manner and inquired what the trouble was. The preacher replied something like, "Oh, nothing, really; it's just that I am in a hurry, and God is not."
In and throughout all creation, time is under God's control, and He acts with precision. Solomon said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven [Eccl. 3:1]." Nowhere is God's precise timing more evident than with respect to the incarnation of Christ. Our text reads, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son…" There are two things to remember. First, that which the coming of Christ revealed, namely God's redemptive plan for saving sinners, was determined sometime in eternity past. Christ is referred to as "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world [Rev. 13:8]." The script was written with the finger of God before Adam walked in the Garden of Eden.
The second thing to note, however, is that God had His own designated moment for the revelation of that glorious event to the time-bound world of men and things. For thousands of years Christ stood in the wings, so to speak, waiting for His cue to step on the stage of planet earth. We cannot fathom the wisdom that defined when that moment should occur, but of this we may be assured; He did not come too late, nor a moment too soon. He came, as someone has paraphrased it, "when the time was right."
This principle of divine precision and control of the events of time carries over into our lives, and with particular reference to believers. It is especially illustrated in the life of Christ. Challenged by His brothers, who "did [not] believe in Him," to go to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles, He said to them, "My time is not yet come…go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come." Yet shortly thereafter He did go up. (Cf. John 7:1-10) What is thus made evident is that in the divine plan there was not only a precise time for the incarnation, but also for the crucifixion. Only eternity will reveal why, in the wisdom of God, those precise moments were chosen, but they are indicative of a divine timetable, and He will act neither early not late.
The psalmist recognized this principle as applying to the believer's life: "My times are in Thy hands… [Ps. 31:15a]. "Reflecting on this verse one long ago remarked, "The hand of Jesus is the hand which rules our times. He regulates our life clock." As carefully as He regulated the life of His only begotten Son, God governs the times and experiences of life for those who have become His adopted sons by faith in Jesus Christ. If you are waiting for God to work in some area or need in your life, remember this principle. When the time is right, He will reveal His will and discover His purpose. Till then, wait patiently for the Lord.
There is, of course, another significant and loftier aspect of God's government of time, and that pertains to the return of Christ. Just as His promised first coming was delayed until "the time was right," so will it be with His return. He is coming again, and as with His first coming, He will be neither early nor late. He said to His inquiring disciples, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power [Acts 1:7]." Our challenge is not to determine the time of His return, but to be faithful all the time, until He comes.
"And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." I John 2:28
And remember this: If you are not saved, NOW is the time for you to trust Christ as your Savior. Tomorrow could be too late, in God's "fulness of the time!"
Yours for HIS glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
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