Bible Reading Blog
“Are We There Yet?”
Categories: Congregational Bible ReadingBIBLE READING: Psalm 75
“At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.” (Psalm 75.2)
“Are we there yet?” No parent wants to hear these dreaded words from the backseat. You can’t really blame a kid. You tell them “we’re going on a trip... it’s going to be great," and all they see is miles and miles of highway passing by... slowly. But as parents it can be frustrating. It’s not like they have to do all the hard work of navigating, driving, or even staying awake. All they have to do is sit there – and still, they are anxious and restless, constantly asking, “Are we there yet?”
I think we do the same thing to God at times. We trust that he’s taking us somewhere, but we want to know when the good stuff comes.
Genesis gives us the story of Joseph, who waited years for the fulfillment of the dream God had given him. He was falsely accused and imprisoned before the time came for him to do what God had shown him he was to do. Exodus 13.17-18 tells us that God led the Israelites the longer, harder way on their journey to the Promised Land. He needed that time to demonstrate his character to them. In the wilderness, they wasted a lot of time wondering about God's timing, but God never failed to take care of them. In both cases, God proved to be in control throughout every event.
There is a randomness we perceive in the events of life (Ecclesiastes 9.11), but nothing is random to God. Everything happens on his timeline and under his watch. He knows when the beginning and end of a thing will be. He knows and sets the limits of suffering and the prosperity of the wicked. He knows when they will be judged, even when we cannot.
God is unmoved and unchanged by circumstances. Instead he is always working according to a timeline where all things will work together for good (Romans 8.28). Sometimes that means immediate judgment towards sin (see Acts 5.1-11). Other times that means wickedness is allowed for a time so that he can assert himself (see Exodus 7.3-5). Whatever the case, God’s work is always on time, intentional, and deliberate.
Ultimately, He will judge based on what each person has done (Romans 14.12; 2 Corinthians 5.10). He will put down the wicked; He will exalt the righteous (Psalm 75.7).
“Are we there yet?” No, and we don’t know exactly when we will be. But this psalm offers a remedy for the anxieties of our heart in the meantime: Remembrance, praise and patience. Remembrance reinforces the proof of God’s sovereignty (Psalm 75.1). Praise elevates our heart to trust him (Psalm 75.9). Patience produces hope as we learn the consistent outcome of God’s actions (Psalm 75.10; Romans 5.3-5).
God knows what he is doing. Let’s be grateful that God is consistent and good, guiding us with righteousness and grace in every season of life.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3.11)
