There is a good bit of concern about opening the economy too soon—before the threat of a wide-spread reemergence of COVID-19 has ended. Timing is everything. Some things happen too soon. Children grow up too soon. Loved ones pass from this life too soon. A meaningful conversation ends too soon.
Other things just can’t happen soon enough. Failure to wait could be the result of absent-mindedness, as in leaving a drive-thru window after paying your bill and receiving your drink but before your meal has been delivered. Other times, failure to wait can be the result of impatience, as when a particular lane of traffic is too long or too slow and we take desperate measures to get around the clog so as to arrive at our destination thirty seconds sooner.
Waiting on God in prayer can be challenging. Yet, waiting “patiently for the Lord” is an essential component to effective prayer (Ps. 40:1). Those who “wait for the Lord” are the ones who “gain new strength” (Isa. 40:31).
But, some things happen at just the right time. Jesus came into the world at exactly the right moment in human history (Gal. 4:4). Similarly, the timing of His return will be precise—at a time known only by the Father (Mt. 24:36). Any perceived delay in Christ’s return will not be the result of absent-mindedness or unconcern on the part of the Father; but, the result of His longsuffering toward us. For “He is patient toward [us], not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).
His coming will be too soon for some. When this life is over, it will be too late to make spiritual preparation for the next life (Hb. 9:27). For others, His coming will be met with eager expectation as indicated by John’s closing petition: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20). It is enough, then, for us to leave the timing to God and build our lives in the direction of constant readiness for Christ’s return (2 Pet. 3:10-12).
–Glen Elliott–