(Continued)
Jesus
is the perfect example of this:
The
Bible says that He grew and became strong; that He was filled with wisdom, and
the grace of God was on Him. (Luke 2:40); that at the age of 12 He was found in
the temple in the midst of the teachers, hearing them and asking them
questions, and all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and
answers (Luke 2:42-47).
People
sometimes ask why Jesus only went into ministry at the age of 30; and I suppose
when you read about his “spiritual calibre” at the age of 12!, it’s easy to see
why people would ask that. You’d think at that rate He’ll be ready way sooner
than the age of 30 … but here I believe timing plays an important role in the
promise/word that God gives us.
God
knows when all the surrounding factors are ready for the promise to manifest. I
believe this was true in Jesus’ example. That the promise of His coming, and
even when He was to enter into His assignment, was more dependent on the outer
circumstances than what they were on Him been ready for them.
Look
at the birth of Jesus - it happened at the time that a decree went out for
everyone to return to their city in order to be taxed, meaning that Joseph and
Mary had to return to Joseph’s home town – which was Bethlehem – thus
fulfilling the prophecy that Christ would be born in Bethlehem!
There
were many other prophecies that came to pass concerning Christ, and if you look
at them, considering that they all had to happen the way they did - when they
did - by whom they were done; It was all based on the places/the people/the
year/the seasons, etc. The promises came to pass when it did, based on all
these external factors.
So
God waits for the right timing, the right season, the appropriate moment – for
the promise to manifest.