Feature Article

God will not be controlled or limited by man's deadlines.

This is a lesson, I have been learning over the past few weeks.  Just the
other day, I heard our youth pastor say something while preparing to take up
offering that at the time, I thought must have been a mistake.

He said, "God isn't ever on time, but He's never late."

I thought, wait, how can he not be on time, but not be late?  You are either
on time, or late.  Right?  The answer has of course, as most lessons, come
through life experience.

In Genesis chapter 22, we see the first use of the name "Jehovah Jireh,"
translated, The Lord will provide (verse 14).  We should note the details of
this encounter.

At the beginning of this chapter, we see Abraham, the "Father of Faith,"
being told to sacrifice his only son, and in the process give up the promise
God had given him.  We see from the chapter, that Abraham obeyed.  He
gathered the wood for the altar, two servants, his son, and the fire and set
forth.

Three days later, they arrive at the place God had chosen for the sacrifice.
There, Abraham leaves his servants, places the wood on Isaac's back, and
the two proceed up the mountain.  As they are walking, the deadline arrives.

"And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said,
"Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where
is the lamb for the burnt offering?" (v. 7)

In short, Okay dad, we're ready to build the altar.  We can't sacrifice if
we don't have the animal to do it with.  What do we do?  Abraham's reply?
"God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."

The deadline is past.  The sacrifice is due.  The payment needs to be met,
and the provision isn't there!  What do you do?  You continue as though it
were.  You have faith that God will provide.

Finally, Abraham builds the altar.  He lays out the wood.  He ties his son,
and lifts the knife into the air to sacrifice his son.  Suddenly God stops
him.  The provision has arrived.  Abraham lifts his eyes, and there in the
bush is a ram for the sacrifice.

Notice as you read the text.  Not once did they mention even seeing an
animal for sacrifice on the entire trip.  As they were walking to the place
where the altar was to be built, not one goat, lamb, or ram is mentioned.
Isaac notes that there aren't any animals for sacrifice!  There is no
provision.  They can't see any provision being made.  They can't even hear
the sound of a distant bleat.  The miracle provision is kept hidden from
them past the point where the provision is needed!  God knows when the final
moment is.  He knows when late really is.

He is not interested in our human deadlines.  He isn't interested in our
human stopping points.  He is interested in our faith in Him.

You may be walking in faith.  In a situation where everything seems
impossible.  You have seen the deadline come and go, and you scream out to
God, "Why didn't you provide!?!?!?"  "Where are you?"  "Don't you even care
that these things can be taken from me now?"

His answer?  "Have they been taken?"  "Do you still trust me?"

"Do you still trust me?"

If you can stand at the point where the deadline has passed.  The bills are
past due, and there is no hope, yet still have faith, you too will lift your
eyes and see the provision.

In His service,
Ken - Standing4Him

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