God's timing – Be Still…

1 Chronicles 13:1-14 – Moving the Ark

Read 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

Now that David’s kingdom has been established, it seems one of the first items of business are to bring the Ark of God into the City of David. This was a big deal, and it shows us that David was intent on having God’s presence surrounding him in his kingdom.

As you recall, the Ark is the most sacred object in Israel’s ancient traditions. It was an ornately decorated box containing the tablets of the ten commandments, among other holy items. The Ark was revered for what it represented, the presence of God. Exodus 25:10-22 tells us more detail about the construction of the Ark.

Mark 1:9-15 – From Baptism to Temptation

Read Mark 1:9-15

I can’t even fathom the transition Jesus endured. He went from the high point of his baptism to being drawn into the wilderness to encounter the craftiness of Satan. The passage says Jesus was “compelled” to spend these 40 days in the desert. That’s a long time to be tempted by evil.

Mark’s gospel account of these two life events seems like the condensed version when compared to other gospels. Both were significant milestones in Jesus’ life. The baptism appears in all four gospels, and the temptation in three. Both events take place before Jesus begins his ministry.

2 Peter 3:8-13 – God’s Timing

Read 2 Peter 3:8-13

Have you ever heard someone say, “God’s timing is perfect”? I did, just today. It’s a phrase we like to use when God seems slow in answering our prayers. Peter calls out that big old elephant in the room for us. He starts out by explaining that God’s clock works differently than ours. “A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.”

Is that a helpful reminder for you? Are you waiting on God for something big in your life to happen? It seems like we are always waiting for something, whether it’s a job promotion, finding the right house to move into, getting pregnant, getting married, being able to retire and start living life the way you want. What is it for you? When we welcome God and expect him to move in these life events, we can trust he is working out the “best” solution for us. Could that be why one of the gifts of the spirit is “patience”? We must continue to wait.

2 Kings 8:1-6 – Tell Me More!

Read 2 Kings 8:1-6

Dana whispering in David's ear, David has surprised face

What perfect timing! That’s what they say about God’s timing. It’s always perfect. Can you recall a time in your life when something worked out just perfectly at the right moment? Did you give credit to God? I can think of several! Let’s share our stories over in the Facebook group, HERE. Look for the post, “God’s timing is perfect!”

In today’s reading, we see a curious king. He was wanting to learn about the great things Elisha had done. I don’t think it was out of jealousy but of wonder at what this prophet could do. His servant, Gehazi, would have example after example of the mighty things he had seen Elisha do (with God’s help).