At The Proper Time
Dear reader,
Last week with our Call to Stand post we saw that God is a God of order, nothing is done without His say. The Bible is filled with verses backing this statement up, but there is another verse that stood out to me as I was reading the book of Titus.
“2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3 but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior;”
Titus 1:2-3
These two verses are filled with promises of assurance and encouragement for believers. There were many during the time that Paul was writing this who were convinced that Christ would return in their lifetime, a hope that we still share. From a human perspective, it may appear as if God is taking His sweet time and it can be tempting to walk away and become one of those who are mentioned in 2Peter 3:4 “4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.””
However, these verses in Titus remind us of two things. First, God cannot lie. This is a characteristic that is a result of sin, and as such God is incapable of lying. God is holy perfect, in Him there is no sin, “5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5. He cannot go against His characteristics, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13
So because God cannot lie and He has promised to return for us, then we have hope in an eternal life because it is promised to those who place their faith in Him. ““Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:1-6
Which leads me into the next point that we can be reminded of when we read these two verses from Titus. “3 but at the proper time revealed His word in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior” Titus 1:3 what stood out to me in this verse is “at the proper time”. We have not yet reached the proper time for the Rapture and for us to be where Christ is, in the place that He has prepared for us. However, because we know that God does not lie, this does not mean that we are to fold under the pressure. We need to continue fighting the good fight, “7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” 2 Timothy 4:7
I encourage you to continue on, be like the Sons of Issachar. Study the Word intently to know where you need to be when God calls you to stand. Continue on in the faith, share the Word knowing that God has promised to return for us at His proper time. This is not a time that we can hurry forward, and for that we should be thankful. To us it may seem as if God is delaying, but He is simply waiting for His proper time when the last of His sheep will accept Him. “8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 When life gets discouraging remember this, first there were those who mocked Noah building the Arc but understood when the day of wrath came. Second, remember the joy the Magi had when they came to see the promised King, they knew He was coming because they intently studied the Word of God. We should be like the Magi! King Solomon said it poetically when stated, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Seek the truth and encourage one another,
Alex