AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME
One of my most favorite Scriptures is Romans 5:6.
I provide it in context as follows:
Ro 5:1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ro 5:2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Ro 5:3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Ro 5:4perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Ro 5:5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Ro 5:6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
God could have just said, “Christ died for the ungodly.” We know this to be true. In fact, that message is said at various places throughout the Word. What I love about Romans 5:6 is that “at just the right time…” I can’t tell you how many times I have been renewed with the knowledge that it is in God’s time that things are accomplished. When I get impatient, worried, tired, fearful, and exhausted, I am reminded that since “at just the right time Christ died for the ungodly,” at just the right time God’s will - will be accomplished in my life as I earnestly seek His face.
Recently, God directed me to the front page of my Bible. I have a few notes written on that first page. My husband gave me this particular Bible on our 14th wedding anniversary, which was 7 year ago at this writing. There is a note from Brian on the first dedication page. I also have the dates of my children’s baptisms there. Additionally, I wrote the following word from God:
4/29/2012 “The words of My will drive forth mightily; nothing can stand against them. Love, God.”
I have recorded many things God has said to me over the years within manuscripts and books or my journals. But, for some reason, this 4/29/2012 Word from God needed to go in the front of my Bible. I had forgotten that I wrote this Word at the intro of my Bible. In fact, the first intro page is folded up like a fan. I try to unwrinkled it, but it continually gets folded within itself. Thus, I forgot it was there.
Recently, I was up early in desperate need of God’s Word. In fact, I spent a good hour on my face praying. Truth be known, I cried a little too. I felt limp because of circumstances out of my control. I felt like quitting, but in faith I would persevere. I learned long ago that feelings, if left unchecked with the Word, will run rampart in the flesh and destroy my faith. So, I was struggling, but I was at least in the Word. My prayer went something like this:
“Lord, I trust You to provide provision and break-through in ways that only You can! Lord, I know that Your righteous right arm is long enough to deliver me and my family, this ministry, the company…. – I trust. Lord, please help, and help me in my disbelief! I choose You, Lord.”
When I got done praying I heard the Lord say, “Read the front of your Bible.” I thought He was telling me to go to Genesis… I truly had forgotten the word that was written there. As I went to the very beginning of my Bible’s intro page, I saw the above note on 4/29/2012.
Guess what?! On this day, it was 4/29/2013! Exactly one year to the date that God spoke that word to me and I recorded it. I said aloud, “No way!” I even double checked my phone calendar and my wall calendar in disbelief of the exactness of the timing. Needless to say, I was encouraged and reminded that “at just the right time” God does what God does. He is God; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Today, trust in Him and in His timing, and I will choose to do the same. I am reminded that we choose faith or we choose fear countless times a day.
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.