Proper Timing: God’s Timing

Proper Timing: God’s Timing

The biggest deception since the dawn of time is circumventing the proper timing to receive what will be given. For example, there is a jar of cookies on the counter; but the parent says the child cannot have one until after dinner. If the child takes a cookie before the proper time, though there is sweetness for a moment, it is followed by the bitterness of consequence that will last much longer. But if the child waits until the proper time, then the cookie is given and lingering sweetness is enjoyed.

So it is for all humanity. In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth and placed Adam and Eve in the garden, He gave them an abundance of good things and told them that only the one tree was not to be eaten of (the cookie jar).

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”” (Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV)

In due process of time, I believe God would have given them the fruit of the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”, but it had to wait until the proper time…and the proper maturity of Adam and Eve (or humanity). Taken without permission before the allotted time would bring consequences, in this case death (first spirituality, then physically).

Satan jumps in and tempts Adam and Eve to take from the cookie jar, the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”, before the proper time. Like a so-called friend who, when the kitchen is free of adults, goads the child to “sneak a cookie, because no one will ever know.”

“Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:1-6 NKJV)

They took and ate before the proper time and sin entered the world for all humanity. Now Adam is a type of Christ, whereby sin entered the world through one man, so also righteousness entered the world by one Man.

“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 NKJV)

Just as Adam and Eve were tempted to circumvent God’s proper timing to receive what was going to be given, so also did Satan tempt Christ Jesus. After 40 days fasting in the wilderness just before Jesus started His earthly ministry, the third and final temptation was this:

“Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'” (Matthew 4:8-10 NKJV)

We know from reading the rest of the gospel that Jesus Christ, after His death and resurrection, was given all the kingdoms of the world, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and is given the Name above all names. By this we know ‘all this’ was already planned to be given to Him. But…He had to be tempted in every way we are so full righteousness would be fulfilled…in order that it could be imputed to us. Thus, Christ Jesus was tempted to take before it was given. But where Adam and Eve considered, took, and ate; Jesus rebuked Satan and refused. HE chose to wait until the proper time.

In our right now world, let us consider ways we are taking before it is given…how we try to move God’s plans along to fit our schedule. Like Christ, let us embrace Proper Timing. Let us live that life of joy and peace He has already given.

Written by: Sarah Pittmann