In the last week or so, I have been reflecting over periods of time in my life. The different seasons that I’ve walked through, and where I’ve seen the signs of redemption play out and how they’ve continued to be some of the greatest gifts that Jesus and I have together. Seeing the significance of the number of years from one pivotal moment to another, and having my eyes opened to the revelation of those numbers has been amazing to ponder over all that He and I have walked through together. All the reflection has left me recalling those in the Scriptures who also waited, trusting that God would fulfill the word that He had spoken over their lives.
The story of Joseph’s life is one of my favourites. Joseph was believed to be around 17 years old when God spoke to him through a dream, clearly demonstrating that he had been chosen for a role of leadership over his brothers. Although favoured by his father, he was hated by his brothers. And that hatred brought the brothers to conspire to kill Joseph. Instead, Joseph ended up being sold to the Ishmaelites and the brothers had to come up with a lie to tell their father: that Joseph was killed by a wild animal on his journey to see them. Eventually Joseph is elevated to the second-in-command in Egypt, where a time of famine brings his brothers before him to get food for their families, and they bow down before him just as his dream from God had indicated, well over *fifteen years before.
Sometimes the work God is doing in and through us takes a long time. Contrary to the instant-gratification that our world tries to breed, some periods of waiting seem like a lifetime. Psalm 105:19 says, “God’s promise to Joseph purged his character until it was time for his dreams to come true.” That one sentence alone is such a testament as to how our good God is bringing good things out of us. His timing is always perfect, regardless of whether we feel He’s moving too fast or too slow. He always moves at the right time.
Perhaps the greatest thing that’s happening in the waiting is how He’s changing us in the meantime. Our character, our perspective and attitude, our compassion and expression of mercy to others. It certainly doesn’t happen overnight. It takes continuous surrender, just as it did with Joseph.
Surrender of our desires.
Our time.
Our boundaries.
Our relationships.
Our reputation.
Our dreams.
If we do not give up trusting Him, we will indeed see the promises of God fulfilled in our lives. The question lingers, “Are we willing to keep staying engaged with Him, trusting Him, until we see the victories come to fruition in our lives as He’s promised?”
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NLT)
Suggested reading: Genesis 37,41-45
[*some Bible scholars believe the time period was over 20 years]
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