Explore the challenges of waiting and the importance of trusting God's timing, especially during spiritual struggles. Discover the historical context of Jesus' birth amidst oppression, reflecting on feelings of divine neglect. Delve into the concept of divine timing with the anticipated arrival of the Messiah, weaving together hope and faith. Hear the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, emphasizing themes of faith and communication from God. Lastly, there's an invitation for new believers to join the community and support the ministry.
God's timing differs from our perception, emphasizing the importance of patience and trust in His larger narrative during prayerful waiting.
The historical struggles of the Israelites highlight that even in periods of silence, God's plans are unfolding, inspiring hope and faith amidst uncertainty.
Deep dives
The Power of God's Timing
The discussion emphasizes that God's timing is different from human perception of time, highlighting that while people often seek immediate answers, God sees the larger picture. Pastor Greg Laurie illustrates this concept by comparing the present to a larger narrative where waiting plays a crucial role in understanding divine responses to prayers. He explains that God may answer prayers with 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait,' and acknowledges that the waiting period can be one of the most challenging experiences for believers. By citing examples of individuals who received answers later in life, such as the conversion of his mother on her deathbed, Laurie reassures listeners that patience is essential because God has His reasons for delaying responses.
Historical Context of Waiting
The podcast reflects on the historical struggles of the Israelites under Roman rule, specifically during the time of King Herod, drawing parallels to the contemporary human experience of waiting for divine intervention. In this context, Laurie points out that Israel experienced a 400-year period of silence from God, leading them to question whether they had been forgotten. He compares this ancient scenario to modern-day hardships, inspiring hope and patience by assuring that God's plans are still in motion, even during times of darkness. The message conveys that the anticipation of the Messiah mirrors the present expectation of Jesus' return, reinforcing faith amidst uncertainty.
The Importance of Prayer and Trust
Pastor Laurie stresses the significance of prayer as a means to communicate with God, reminding listeners that God hears every cry, even if the answer comes later than expected. He recounts the story of Zechariah, who received a divine message from the angel Gabriel while praying, signifying that God remained attentive to His people's needs. This narrative serves as an encouragement to persist in prayer and not to lose hope when immediate results are not evident. Furthermore, Laurie underscores the need to maintain faith, insisting that God will ultimately bring beauty from waiting, aligning with His perfect timing and plan for each individual.
“Just in the nick of time.” Few of us know what a nick of time is but we know the gist. The damsel is rescued from the train tracks “just in the nick of time.” Does God always work just in the nick of time? It may seem so. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie gives us some insight on the timing of God. When we know that God works outside the bounds of time, maybe it’ll be a little easier to trust that His timing is perfect.
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
