Tag: #godstiming

Dreams that Rise on Heaven’s Timing

Nehemiah’s story started with tears – when he heard of the deplorable state of Jerusalem – the walls were broken and the gates were burned with fire. In his heart, a holy burden was born. What many people missed about Nehemiah’s story was this: he didn’t rush into rebuilding – he waited, prayed, fasted and carried out the dream before God for four months.

The Dream begins with a burden – but unfolds in God’s Timing

Nehemiah’s dream began the day he was wept upon hearing about the broken walls of Jerusalem. But the rebuilding didn’t start until heaven opened the door through King Xerxes, who not only gave him permission to leave, but also gave him safe passage to Jerusalem and material for rebuilding the walls.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven – Nehemiah 1:4

The Pause is for Preparation

Nehemiah mourned, prayed and fasted. Before Nehemiah can rebuild walls, God needed to rebuild Nehemiah – for his courage, clarity, strategy and resolve. God is preparing Nehemiah so that he can reply the king and receive the king’s blessings.

Then I prayed to God of heaven, and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favour in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” – Nehemiah 2:4-5

When Heaven’s Timing Arrives

Once God opened the door, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls that were destroyed for 140 years – in just 52 days. God’s timing can sometimes seem slow, and at times, happen in impossible speed! His timing is always perfect. 

So the wall was completed in fifty-two days – Nehemiah 6:15

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: trust in God for His perfect timing. When I first published my first journal book based on Nehemiah in 2022, God gave me the crazy idea of publishing the book in 52 days! Amidst my doubts and fears, I succeeded to do that. I truly believe it was only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I was able to achieve this impossible feat!

A God-sized dream is never rushed. It is divinely timed.

When God Makes You Wait

Have you waited for a prayer for a long time?

Have you asked God why your prayer has not been answered?

Have you ever wondered if God has forgotten your prayer?

In our world of instant gratification, our timing rarely matches God’s timing. We expect God to answer our prayers in our way, in our timing. And when God fall short of our expectation, we are disappointed with Him. For me, waiting on God’s timing is a constant struggle as I wonder if He has forgotten about my prayer. I am usually tempted to wonder if I have heard God “right” and start doubting.

God Prepares us while we wait

What we don’t realize is that God’s timing has a purpose – He is preparing us through a season of reflection, growth and sometimes, suffering. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25)

God Trains us in the delay

What seems like a delay in our prayer is actually a training ground for God to teach us patience, trust and wisdom. Joseph endured betrayal, slavery and imprisonment for 13 years before he was promoted to be the second-in-command in Egypt.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

The Longer the journey, the greater the Purpose

Like any travels that we prepare for, the further and longer the journey, the more we have to prepare for it. Similarly, the greater the purpose, the longer God prepares us. If you feel like you’re in a season of waiting, trust that God is orchestrating His plan behind the scene. He is preparing you because your journey is worth the wait. David was anointed as king as a teenager, but had to wait years – facing battles, rejection and hardship – before taking the throne as king.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

This is my invitation to you today: trust that God is preparing you for something far greater than you can imagine.