Trusting God's Timing: Lessons in Faith and Obedience
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments where God's timing seems slower than we expect. We might feel like King David, who desired to build a temple for God but was told, "Not you." This wasn't a rejection but a redirection, as God had a different plan involving David's son, Solomon. David's response was to prepare for a future he wouldn't personally see, teaching us the value of obedience and trust in God's timing. Jesus, our Savior and teacher, often slows down the process to teach us deeper lessons. Just as a good guitar teacher slows down to ensure the student learns, Jesus sometimes takes us through slower seasons to instill patience, love, and understanding.
When we ask for patience, God might place us in situations that require it, like enduring traffic or learning a new skill. This process isn't about God's inability but about our readiness. Jesus' first miracle at the wedding in Cana illustrates this beautifully. When the wine ran out, Jesus didn't immediately provide more. Instead, he instructed the servants to fill jars with water, a task that seemed pointless until the miracle occurred. This teaches us that sometimes, God requires us to fill our jars—our lives—with faith and obedience before we see the transformation.
Mary's instruction to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you," is a powerful reminder to trust in Jesus' guidance, even when it doesn't make sense. The miracle of turning water into wine wasn't just about meeting a need but about revealing Jesus' identity and the new covenant he was establishing. Our lives, too, are filled with moments where we must trust God's process, even when it seems slow or unclear. It's in these moments of obedience and faith that God works his greatest miracles, transforming our lives in ways we couldn't have imagined.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Timing and Our Readiness: Like David, we may face moments where God says, "Not you," not as a rejection but as a redirection. God's timing is perfect, and sometimes he prepares us for a future we can't yet see. Trusting in his plan requires patience and faith. [01:28]
2. The Purpose of Slowing Down: Jesus, as a teacher, knows when to slow down the process to teach us valuable lessons. When we ask for qualities like patience or love, God often places us in situations that require these traits, helping us grow spiritually. [03:38]
3. Obedience in the Process: The miracle at Cana teaches us the importance of obedience. Jesus instructed the servants to fill jars with water, a seemingly pointless task, yet it was essential for the miracle. Our obedience, even in small tasks, can lead to significant transformations. [12:04]
4. Trusting God's Guidance: Mary's advice to "Do whatever he tells you" emphasizes the importance of trusting Jesus' guidance. Even when his instructions don't make sense, following them can lead to profound revelations and blessings in our lives. [08:08]
5. Faith in the Unseen: The process of filling the jars before the miracle occurred teaches us about faith. Sometimes, we must continue in obedience and trust, even when we don't see immediate results. It's in these moments that God builds our faith and reveals his power. [15:41]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - David's Desire and God's Redirection
[01:28] - Preparing for a Future Unseen
[02:46] - Jesus as Teacher
[03:38] - Learning Through Slowing Down
[04:44] - The Process of Patience
[06:10] - The Miracle at Cana
[07:25] - Request, Refusal, Revelation
[08:08] - Mary's Trust in Jesus
[09:59] - The Importance of Obedience
[10:57] - Filling the Jars
[12:04] - The Moment of Transformation
[13:50] - Dealing with Shame and Delay
[14:44] - Faith in the Process
[15:41] - The Power of Persistence
[17:02] - When God Says "Now"
[18:23] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Chronicles 22:7-10 - David's desire to build the temple and God's redirection to Solomon.
2. John 2:1-11 - The Wedding at Cana, Jesus' first miracle.
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Observation Questions:
1. What was King David's initial desire regarding the temple, and how did God redirect his plans? [00:40]
2. In the story of the Wedding at Cana, what specific instructions did Jesus give to the servants, and how did they respond? [12:04]
3. How does the sermon describe the process of learning patience and love through life's challenges? [03:38]
4. What role did Mary play in the miracle at Cana, and what was her instruction to the servants? [08:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does David's response to God's redirection demonstrate trust and obedience, and what can this teach us about handling our own disappointments? [01:28]
2. What might be the significance of Jesus choosing to perform his first miracle at a wedding, and how does this relate to the new covenant? [07:25]
3. Why might God choose to slow down certain processes in our lives, and how can this be seen as an act of kindness rather than a delay? [04:44]
4. How does the act of filling the jars with water before the miracle at Cana illustrate the importance of faith and obedience in the unseen? [15:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was saying "Not you" in your life. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [00:40]
2. In what areas of your life do you feel God is asking you to slow down and learn? How can you embrace this process rather than resist it? [03:38]
3. Consider a situation where you need to "fill your jars" with faith and obedience. What practical steps can you take to prepare for God's transformation? [12:04]
4. How can you apply Mary's instruction to "Do whatever he tells you" in your daily decisions and challenges? [08:08]
5. Identify a current challenge where you need to trust God's timing. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate your trust and patience? [15:41]
6. Think of a time when you felt behind or inadequate. How can you shift your perspective to see this as an opportunity for growth rather than a setback? [13:50]
7. How can you cultivate a mindset of readiness for God's miracles in your life, even when the process seems slow or unclear? [17:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Divine Redirection
In life, we often encounter moments where our plans don't align with God's timing. Like King David, who was told "Not you" when he desired to build a temple, we may face redirection rather than rejection. This redirection is not a denial of our desires but a preparation for a future we cannot yet see. It requires us to trust in God's perfect timing and to have faith that He is preparing us for something greater. Embracing this perspective allows us to find peace in the waiting and to prepare for the roles we are meant to fulfill. [01:28]
1 Chronicles 28:2-3 (ESV): "Then King David rose to his feet and said: 'Hear me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord and for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations for building. But God said to me, ‘You may not build a house for my name, for you are a man of war and have shed blood.’"
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you feel redirected rather than rejected? How can you trust in God's timing and prepare for what He has planned for you?
Day 2: Embracing the Lessons in Slowing Down
Jesus, as our teacher, often slows down the process to instill deeper lessons in us. When we ask for qualities like patience or love, God places us in situations that require these traits, helping us grow spiritually. This process is not about God's inability but about our readiness to receive His blessings. By embracing these slower seasons, we learn to cultivate patience, love, and understanding, which are essential for our spiritual growth. [03:38]
James 1:3-4 (ESV): "For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is slowing you down? How can you embrace this season to grow in patience and understanding?
Day 3: The Power of Obedience in Small Tasks
The miracle at Cana teaches us the importance of obedience, even in tasks that seem insignificant. Jesus instructed the servants to fill jars with water, a task that appeared pointless until the miracle occurred. This act of obedience was crucial for the transformation that followed. Similarly, our obedience in small tasks can lead to significant changes in our lives. By trusting in God's guidance and following His instructions, we open ourselves to His transformative power. [12:04]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Reflection: What small task is God asking you to be obedient in today? How can you approach it with faith, trusting that it may lead to a greater transformation?
Day 4: Trusting in Unclear Guidance
Mary's advice to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you," emphasizes the importance of trusting Jesus' guidance, even when it doesn't make sense. Following His instructions can lead to profound revelations and blessings in our lives. This trust requires us to let go of our understanding and to have faith in His divine wisdom. By doing so, we allow God to work in ways that surpass our expectations and bring about His perfect will. [08:08]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God's guidance seems unclear? How can you practice trusting Him more fully, even when His instructions don't make sense?
Day 5: Faith in the Unseen Process
The process of filling the jars before the miracle at Cana teaches us about faith. Sometimes, we must continue in obedience and trust, even when we don't see immediate results. It's in these moments that God builds our faith and reveals His power. By persisting in faith, we allow God to work in our lives in ways we couldn't have imagined, transforming our circumstances and deepening our relationship with Him. [15:41]
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV): "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are struggling to see results? How can you continue to trust and obey God, believing that He is working behind the scenes?
Quotes
"Jesus is the Savior who paid for our sins on the cross, and that is the purpose he came for, to rise from the grave, to have dominion over death so we could call on his name and be saved. Yes. He is also a teacher, and a good teacher knows when to go slow. Maybe he is going slow because he wants to show you." [00:02:20] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God said slow because you can't yet. But if we can do it, I still remember this all those years because they slowed it down for me. You got to go slow for Stephen. Stephen can't do all that real quick. He's got a good heart, but he needs it real slow. Peter's real slow. John. John's kind of slow. Nathaniel's kind of slow. The disciples are kind of slow. How many are willing to admit it may take God slowing this down in my life and he might not be giving it to me when I want it out of kindness." [00:05:20] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Well, maybe there is something that Jesus wants to do in the process that will teach you where to go back when you need it again, because I'm thinking he would have the power to go out to the well, wherever they're getting the water from." [00:07:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Maybe that's the lesson he's been trying to teach us, y 'all. We've been doing all kinds of math in our life about this and that and this needs to happen and that needs to happen, and Mary goes, Do whatever he tells you. That's the math." [00:08:08] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But if you do what he says in each moment, if you'll get attuned to the process, instead of just being a consumer, you will not need God to give you something external to produce something wonderful." [00:09:23] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"There's a request, a refusal… That's where some of you are today. The refusal. Well, life won't let me. Well, they won't let me. Well, I tried that. I've been trying that for years. The refusal… And then there is a reset. He reminds her, 'My hour has not yet come. This is not my ultimate destination.'" [00:09:59] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Why did God make every jar have to be filled? Why has God allowed you to pray about this for so long? Why has God not just waved his wand over our situation? Why did he reset in order to reveal?" [00:16:43] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It is only after the jars are filled… I'm telling you what I know from my life. It is only after you have done it and done it and done it… I can't speak for everybody in the room, but somebody online needs to hear this. Give me my camera, please. It is sometimes when I am almost done trying that at that moment in time, that's when God says, now." [00:17:02] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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