God sets an appointed time to fulfill His plans and purposes. He is never too soon or too late to act. His schedule is perfect. We can put our faith, hope, and confidence in God’s divine timing.

“For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it lingers, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)

In Genesis 18 we read about the Lord appearing to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre. This was God in the Person of Jesus appearing in human form. This is the second time God spoke to Abraham about fulfilling His promise about Sarah giving birth to a son (see Gen. 17:19). I believe we need to hear God’s promises over and over again. It’s one way He encourages us and develops our faith.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Maybe Sarah and Abraham were doubting the promise given in Genesis 17. Sarah was past childbearing years, and it would take a miracle of God for them to have children through normal sexual relations. All their lives they longed for a child yet, they found it hard to believe it would actually happen. Sarah was 90-91 when she gave birth to Isaac and Abraham was 100 years old. God made the physically impossible a reality. God’s divine timing made it clear to all that He had provided Abraham and Sarah with a son. He alone would receive the glory and praise for the provision.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:14 (NIV)

There was another appointed time in Abraham’s life when God tested his faith. Genesis 22 tells us about the strange request God gave Abraham. He was to take Isaac, his only son, to the region of Moriah (Yah Is Awesome, Yah Is Teacher, Place Of Reverence Of Yah) and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Mind you, Abraham was promised to have offspring as abundant as the dust of the earth, beyond his ability to count. If he killed his son Isaac how could that promise occur?

“I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” Genesis 13:16 (NIV)

Abraham’s faith was so strong he didn’t hesitate to bind his son and lay him on the wood arranged for the sacrifice. As Abraham was about to slay his son, the angel of the Lord called down from heaven and told him to stop. At the appointed time, God provided a substitute for Isaac. A ram was caught in the thicket and was killed instead of Isaac as an offering to the Lord.

“Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied.
‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ He said, ‘Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.’

Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So, Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide.” Genesis 22:10-14a (NIV)

I encourage you to find your own examples of God’s perfect timing in the Bible. This scripture hunt will encourage you, especially if you are waiting on promises, desires, or hopes. Our God moves in mysterious ways yet His ways are pure perfection. He has appointed times and seasons. King Solomon understood this. Read Ecclesiastes 3.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

“He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority.’” Acts 1:7 (NIV)

“God has a time for everything, a perfect schedule. He is never too soon, never too late. The WHEN, of His will is as important as the WHAT and the HOW.” ~ Richard Halverson