Timeline
"The time that the people of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years." — Exodus 12:40 (ESV)
I could have chosen any scripture in the Bible to talk about timelines, but when I opened an app that provides verses based on topics and typed in the word “timeline,” the scripture above appeared. I thought, That’s interesting, because the 430 years that Israel lived in Egypt were specifically ordained by God. In fact, He told Abraham, "Know positively that your descendants will be strangers dwelling as temporary residents in a land that is not theirs [Egypt], and they will be slaves there and will be afflicted and oppressed for 400 years." (Genesis 15:13, AMP). That promise was fulfilled in Exodus 12:40.
I had been in prayer—though I’m not sure if I was praying or complaining—about things I was seeing in the news and on social media. That’s when God responded: I was upset about a mere speck on His timeline. Let me tell you—God knows how to get your attention.
When I worked for the State of California as an Examination Analyst, I was responsible for conducting exams for those seeking employment with the state. Part of my role involved creating a timeline for each exam, listing every stage from start to finish. At times, I managed anywhere from five to seven exams at once. Having a timeline was essential so that both I and my supervisors could track the status of each exam at any given moment. Nothing caught us off guard. I was never anxious about what was happening because I had already planned what was coming. Each stage was scheduled with the end goal in mind.
So when the Holy Spirit said I was worried about a speck on His timeline, I understood: God has everything under control. My complaints, in that moment, weren’t necessary. When we think about timelines, we must remember that this is just one phase in a greater process. Nothing surprises God. He knows exactly what’s happening and what is to come. Our role is simple—to keep our eyes on Him and trust Him in everything we see and do.
Takeaways:
Yeshua has the master plan—He knows exactly what is happening.
Like Peter walking on water, our responsibility is to keep our eyes on Yeshua.
In our prayers, we are not informing God of anything He doesn’t already know.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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