I've heard an expression many times over the years: God is never late. On the other hand, perhaps, a good expression for us would be: we are never patient. So how can we figure out God's timetable?
First, let's admit that we really are impatient. We have become a product of our modern conveniences. We microwave "instant" foods that are ready to eat in mere seconds.
It irritates us if our two hour flight, that takes us hundreds of miles in less than two hours, is delayed by ten minutes. We expect our fully cooked "fast food" to be ready by the time we get to the pick up window.
These and many more examples that you can probably think of, show clearly that we have lost a lot of patience. And so many times when it comes to asking God for something, if it doesn't happen very quickly we get frustrated.
So, when you pray and petition God for something, how long are you supposed to wait? Is He going to answer? Could I please take a quick peek at His timetable on this one?
Too often people just think that God either doesn't hear their requests, or that He just doesn't want to answer them. Some often wonder if maybe they haven't been good enough for Him to respond in kind.
No one knows God's timetable. In fact, honestly, there is a lot we don't know about God. He says in the Bible, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." So, maybe we ought not to be so presumptuous to think we have God all figured out.
Let's take this position. In the situations that we are faced with in our own lives, there is nothing too hard or too big for God. If we don't take that position, then it is pointless to continue this discussion. God is indeed unlimited in His ability and resources.
Let's also take the position that God does not lie. The Bible says that His ears are open unto our prayers. So we know that every time we pray and ask Him for His help, He indeed hears us.
A man who lived in the 1800's by the name of George Mueller, set out to show people that God answers prayers. He had already seen this in his own life, but wanted to give people something tangible that they could see so that they too could tap into answered prayer.
His plan was to establish orphanages for the many homeless children in Great Britain. He believed that God would provide everything he needed without having to ask anyone for contributions. He did just that for 64 years.
During that time he built The Orphanage Campus at Ashley Down, where it is reported that he cared for and educated over 18,000 children. He educated over 100,000 more in other schools at the Orphanage's expense and distributed hundreds of thousands of Bibles and countless tracts, in addition to supporting hundreds of missionaries.
He never ever asked for one penny from anyone. His children never missed a meal, and he never had a debt. Perhaps regarding God's timetable, a quote by Mr. Mueller would be helpful.
"I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk, when I lie down, and when I rise. And the answers are always coming. Tens of thousands of times have my prayers been answered. When once I am persuaded that a thing is right, I go on praying for it. The great point is never to give up till the answer comes. The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God's glory, they should pray until they get it."
When it comes to God's timetable, let's not get impatient. Let's stay persistent in prayer. As Jesus said, we ought not to faint in prayer. And, let's keep looking and expecting an answer, no matter how God chooses to get the job done.