“Therefore thus saith the Lord; ‘I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it,’ saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 1:16
Dear Ones:
In the economy of God, there is a time for everything. What is so significant concerning this reality is the specific intervention of God at a specific time. For example, when Lazarus became sick, and was about to die, though Jesus learned of his condition, He did not go to him. Two days after hearing of Lazarus’ illness, Jesus went, only to later learn that Lazarus had been buried for four days. Was Christ’s timing, and intervention, right? Mary and Martha did not think so, as both of them declared to Him, “Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” (Jn. 11:21) Why is the timing of God so very important, even if we do not understand it? It is because of the eternal repercussions, and purpose, of His intervention at that time.
When Gideon was called of God to conquer the Amalekites, he had gathered around him about 32,300 people who would fight with him. But it was not God’s time. God would then tell Gideon that they were too many for Him go give the victory. Why? Israel risked to take all the glory for herself, rather than giving it to God. God’s timing was associated with the eternal ramifications of His intervention in that day, and this for His glory. When Gideon had sent away all but 300 people to fight with him, God showed him it was time, His time. He encouraged Gideon, and confirmed the victory, revealing to him that the time had come to go forth in full assurance of faith to do battle and to conquer. God would intervene in His time.
In the book of Zechariah, there is a vision given to the prophet of an angel in heaven, who asks of the Lord: “O Lord of hosts, HOW LONG wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem?” (1:12) The Lord’s answer was very clear: “I AM returned to Jerusalem with mercies.” (1:16) In Isaiah 40, we see where the Lord tells Israel that, “…her warfare is accomplished.” (v.1) The time had come for Israel to see that God’s judgement, because of her sin, had arrived at its term. It was finished. The time had come also for a new beginning in Jerusalem, by the Spirit, one where she was to awaken, stand up, put on strength, and her beautiful garments. She was to be restored as that beacon on the hill, giving the light of the knowledge of God to the nations, by the good news of the gospel. Though Israel had “…drunk the cup of His (the Lord’s) fury, and “…drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling,” the time had come for new intervention of God. The people who had been barren, and seemingly forsaken, now would be given a promise: “”For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,’ saith the Lord.” (Is. 54:1) The call is for her to live in the expectation of fruitfulness, blessing, and expansion. “Great mercies,” and everlasting kindness, will be extended to her. The great assurance, and conviction, that Israel now has is that, since the time of the Lord had come, God would speak again, and there would be an accomplishment of all that He would declare. The word that would go out of His mouth would not return unto Him void, but would accomplish that which He pleases. It would prosper in the thing whereto He sent it. The promise to Israel, to Jerusalem, was filled with meaning and blessing: “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Is. 55:12) Herein is the importance of the timing of the Lord, for HE intervenes, works, moves, and accomplishes His will, for His glory.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see and grasp this concept of Your promised intervention in Your time. Certainly You desire and will to work mightily in and through your people this day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad