Obedience to Divine Timing
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Definition and Importance
Obedience to divine timing refers to the act of aligning one's actions and decisions with God's ordained schedule and purposes. It involves trusting in God's perfect timing for events and outcomes, rather than relying on human understanding or impatience. This concept is deeply rooted in the belief that God, in His omniscience, orchestrates the events of the world and the lives of individuals according to His perfect plan.

Biblical Foundation
The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that emphasize the importance of waiting on God's timing. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." This verse underscores the belief that God has appointed times for every event and purpose, and human beings are called to recognize and submit to these divine appointments.

Examples from Scripture
1. Abraham and Sarah: The account of Abraham and Sarah illustrates the importance of waiting for God's timing. Despite God's promise of a son, they grew impatient and took matters into their own hands, resulting in the birth of Ishmael (Genesis 16). However, God's promise was fulfilled in His timing with the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-3).

2. David: Anointed as king while still a young shepherd, David had to wait many years before ascending to the throne. During this time, he faced numerous challenges and opportunities to take the throne by force, yet he chose to wait for God's timing (1 Samuel 24:6-7). David's patience and obedience to divine timing are exemplified in his refusal to harm King Saul, acknowledging that God would establish him as king in His own time.

3. Jesus Christ: The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are the ultimate examples of obedience to divine timing. Jesus often spoke of "His hour" not yet having come (John 2:4, 7:6), indicating His awareness of God's timing for His mission. His crucifixion and resurrection occurred precisely according to God's plan, fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating the importance of divine timing in the salvation narrative.

Teachings on Patience and Trust
The Bible encourages believers to cultivate patience and trust in God's timing. Psalm 27:14 advises, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD." Similarly, Isaiah 40:31 promises, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."

Consequences of Impatience
Scripture also warns of the consequences of failing to wait for God's timing. The Israelites' impatience led them to create a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai (Exodus 32), resulting in severe consequences. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of acting outside of God's timing.

Application for Believers
For believers, obedience to divine timing requires a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It involves prayerful discernment, seeking God's guidance, and being willing to wait for His perfect timing in all aspects of life, including personal decisions, relationships, and ministry opportunities. By aligning with God's timing, believers can experience His peace and assurance, knowing that His plans are for their ultimate good and His glory.
Subtopics

Obedience

Obedience of Christ

Obedience to God

Obedience to God without Faith, is Impossible

Obedience to God: A Characteristic of Saints

Obedience to God: Abram

Obedience to God: Angels Engaged In

Obedience to God: Asa

Obedience to God: Better than Sacrifice

Obedience to God: Blessedness of

Obedience to God: Caleb

Obedience to God: Christ, an Example of

Obedience to God: Commanded

Obedience to God: Confess Your Failure In

Obedience to God: David

Obedience to God: Elijah

Obedience to God: Exhortations To

Obedience to God: Hezekiah

Obedience to God: Includes: Keeping his Commandments

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying Christ

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Law

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying his Voice

Obedience to God: Includes: Obeying the Gospel

Obedience to God: Includes: Submission to Higher Powers

Obedience to God: Israelites

Obedience to God: Joseph

Obedience to God: Josiah

Obedience to God: Justification Obtained by That of Christ

Obedience to God: Noah

Obedience to God: Obligations To

Obedience to God: Paul

Obedience to God: Pray to be Taught

Obedience to God: Prepare the Heart For

Obedience to God: Promises To

Obedience to God: Punishment of Refusing

Obedience to God: Resolve Upon

Obedience to God: Saints Elected To

Obedience to God: Saints of Rome

Obedience to God: should be Constant

Obedience to God: should be from the Heart

Obedience to God: should be Undeviating

Obedience to God: should be Unreserved

Obedience to God: should Be with Willingness

Obedience to God: The Wicked Refuse

Obedience to God: To be Universal in the Latter Days

Obedience to God: Wise Men

Obedience to God: Zacharias

Obedience to God: Zerubbabel

Obedience: Abraham

Obedience: Asa

Obedience: Bethuel and Laban

Obedience: Caleb

Obedience: Cornelius

Obedience: Cyrus

Obedience: Daniel

Obedience: David

Obedience: Elisha

Obedience: Enjoined

Obedience: Exemplified

Obedience: Ezra

Obedience: General Scriptures Concerning

Obedience: Gideon

Obedience: Hanani

Obedience: Hezekiah

Obedience: Jacob

Obedience: Jehoiada

Obedience: Jehoshaphat

Obedience: Jesus

Obedience: Job

Obedience: John and James

Obedience: John the Baptist

Obedience: Jonah

Obedience: Joseph

Obedience: Joshua

Obedience: Josiah

Obedience: Jotham

Obedience: Levi

Obedience: Levites

Obedience: Mary

Obedience: Matthew

Obedience: Moses

Obedience: Moses and Aaron

Obedience: Nathanael

Obedience: Ninevites

Obedience: Noah

Obedience: Paul

Obedience: Reubenites

Obedience: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego

Obedience: Simeon

Obedience: Simon and Andrew

Obedience: The Disciples

Obedience: The Israelites

Obedience: The Rich Young Man

Obedience: Under the Preaching of Haggai

Obedience: Uzziah

Obedience: Zacharias

Related Terms

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Obedience (61 Occurrences)

Obediently (2 Occurrences)

Obeying (24 Occurrences)

Simplicity (12 Occurrences)

Obey (219 Occurrences)

Merely (30 Occurrences)

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)

Philippians (2 Occurrences)

Please (324 Occurrences)

Earthly (39 Occurrences)

Life (6001 Occurrences)

Immortal (3 Occurrences)

Immortality (6 Occurrences)

Rule (291 Occurrences)

Respect (204 Occurrences)

Rulers (310 Occurrences)

Always (186 Occurrences)

Form (153 Occurrences)

Keepers (78 Occurrences)

Unwilling (30 Occurrences)

Orderly (8 Occurrences)

Owners (19 Occurrences)

Joyfully (37 Occurrences)

Labour (119 Occurrences)

Gatherer (5 Occurrences)

Godly (50 Occurrences)

Whereunto (36 Occurrences)

Wholeheartedly (15 Occurrences)

Wherever (107 Occurrences)

Whereas (55 Occurrences)

Wearied (36 Occurrences)

Increased (165 Occurrences)

Imposing (8 Occurrences)

Incidents (1 Occurrence)

Increase (184 Occurrences)

Isaac (127 Occurrences)

Individual (12 Occurrences)

Instead (139 Occurrences)

Fully (153 Occurrences)

Fashioning (4 Occurrences)

Treasured (20 Occurrences)

Trembling (72 Occurrences)

Remind (16 Occurrences)

Rejected (96 Occurrences)

Reprover (7 Occurrences)

Rapidly (7 Occurrences)

Repudiated (1 Occurrence)

Refused (89 Occurrences)

Responded (35 Occurrences)

Ear-ring (6 Occurrences)

Esther (48 Occurrences)

Earring (7 Occurrences)

Entrusted (55 Occurrences)

Eager (43 Occurrences)

Experience (28 Occurrences)

Discreet (9 Occurrences)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Discover (28 Occurrences)

Delude (2 Occurrences)

Dearly-loved (20 Occurrences)

Declaration (9 Occurrences)

Destroyeth (38 Occurrences)

Masters (59 Occurrences)

Motive (3 Occurrences)

Multiplied (109 Occurrences)

Master (346 Occurrences)

Multiply (98 Occurrences)

Permission (23 Occurrences)

Pilfering (2 Occurrences)

Proof (38 Occurrences)

Bondservants (39 Occurrences)

Bar-jesus (1 Occurrence)

Barjesus (1 Occurrence)

Brothers (574 Occurrences)

Conform (3 Occurrences)

Credence (20 Occurrences)

Christians (13 Occurrences)

Obedience to Divine Strategy
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