The Challenge of God’s Timing in Ministry

One of the reasons so many ministries become discouraged and too often fail is their inability to understand God’s timing and seasons. I’ve lived for the Lord for over four decades now and served Him in ministry for nearly all of those years. In my life and ministry, I admit there are few times when God acted when I thought He should.

This has caused much grief and discouragement at times. I’m an action person. When I see a job that needs to be done, I find a way to get it done—oftentimes before others even realize there was a need. It frustrates me to see other people drag their feet when there should be action in a needful situation. Waiting on God, who does not operate in the same time zone as I do, has been very discouraging at times. (CAN I GET A WITNESS?)

God’s Timing in Scripture

God’s Perspective on Timing

To fully understand the timing in which God operates, we must turn to the scripture. One translation of 2 Peter 3:9 says:

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

When reading this scripture, I admit that my mind wants to argue with the writer. In my carnal thinking, I feel that God is very slow in nearly everything that He does. Understanding God’s timing is something like many others, I struggle with. My natural mind believes He is slow to punish the wicked. It thinks that He is slow in His return. I see the suffering in the world and struggle to understand His delay in correcting it.

Understanding God’s Perspective

However, the reading shows me that He is not slow in keeping His promise, “as some men understand slowness.” The real problem is not with God, but rather with me. I am “some men.” My grasp of His timing is obviously not in line with His understanding of it. He views the world and everything that happens in it from an entirely different perspective than I can. My perspective is limited, shaped by my human, mortal understanding.

His perspective is not bound by time or human limitations; it is the view of an eternal, omniscient, and all-knowing God. He sees the full tapestry of existence, where every moment, every decision, and every outcome is woven together with perfect wisdom and purpose.

Lessons in Patience and Timing

The Need for Patience

2 Peter 3:8 lets us know that to the Lord, “a thousand years is like a day.” Evidently, time is not something God has to worry about. He does not make decisions based on the clock, calendar, or length of men’s lives. He is not in a hurry. He is patient. Time is not a factor for Him. It is for me. It may be for you. It is not for Him.

He does not operate according to the limitations of time or for the sake of temporal concerns. Instead, His actions are solely governed by His redemptive purpose. 2 Peter 3:9 reveals that His purpose transcends our concepts of timing; it is rooted in the eternal work of redemption. His focus is on the salvation of souls and the spiritual growth of His people, rather than being dictated by the clock or the calendar. Every delay, every moment, is measured against the backdrop of His sovereign plan for redemption, not by human schedules or expectations.

The Process of Spiritual Maturity

When there’s a lesson we need to learn, He lovingly allows us to wait because He knows that growth comes through patience. If His delay will lead to our spiritual maturity or deepen our faith, then He waits, not out of disregard for our immediate needs, but because He sees a greater purpose. His focus isn’t on the temporary discomfort we might feel, but on where we are in the redemptive process. In His sovereignty, He prioritizes our eternal growth over our present relief.

Biblical Examples of God’s Timing

The Story of Moses

Look at Moses. Understanding God’s timing for your life was something God taught him the hard way. Forty years in Pharaoh’s court and schools of higher learning. For what? So he can be a lonely shepherd for the next forty years? Now I have to admit… at about the end of the first year in the desert watching sheep when I was trained to lead a nation, I would say, “God you messed up!”

Moses was placed in the desert, where he had no choice but to learn the discipline of waiting on God. He had to let go of his own understanding of time and its significance.

The Wilderness and the Promised Land

This lesson was crucial for Moses when he later led the nation of Israel through the wilderness. The forty years he spent waiting on God in the desert prepared him for the forty years of guiding Israel through their own journey of waiting. God knew that the nation needed to learn the same lesson of trusting in His timing, and He chose Moses to lead them precisely because he had already learned to wait on God in the desert.

Neither was God going to give them the promised land overnight. Exodus 23:28-29 explains that He would not drive their enemies out in a single year but rather little by little, until they had grown strong enough to occupy and sustain the land. This gradual process was not a sign of reluctance on God’s part, but of His wisdom and care. He knew that sudden success could overwhelm them and lead to their downfall. By allowing them to face their challenges progressively, God ensured that they developed the necessary strength, unity, and faith to not only conquer the land but also to thrive in it. This teaches us that sometimes, God’s delays are His way of preparing us for the responsibilities and blessings that come with His promises.

The Purpose Behind God’s Delay

God’s delay is never about hindering us but is rooted in His deep understanding of our readiness. He is waiting for our maturity to reach a level where we can truly handle the blessings and responsibilities He wants to give us—whether it’s revival, financial provision, or other forms of growth. If God were to suddenly add 1,000 people to most churches in a single year, many of those souls would likely drift away, because few congregations are genuinely prepared to nurture and sustain that kind of rapid expansion. God’s timing ensures that when the growth comes, we are capable of stewarding it effectively and helping it flourish.

The Role of the Church in God’s Timing

Preparing for Growth

We want revival now. We want everyone to come to Truth today. So does God. But we are not waiting on Him. He is waiting on congregations to mature to a level where they can do more than the work of evangelizing. He’s waiting on us to be able to maintain the growth that He would give.

Consider how many of those who have received salvation would still be part of the church today if it would have spent more time preparing itself to maintain growth before it happened. “Lord, forgive us of our arrogance and ignorance in this area.” How many souls will be aborted before we realize the absolute necessity of training the church to maintain growth and become spiritually mature?

Maturity and Retention

Would God pour out greater blessings on our evangelism efforts if we had the maturity to nurture and retain those souls? Without a doubt! God’s heart is for lasting transformation, not just temporary conversions. He desires that we not only reach the lost but also create an environment where new believers can grow, be discipled, and remain steadfast in their faith. Our level of spiritual maturity directly impacts our ability to shepherd those He brings into the fold, ensuring that their journey with Him is sustained for the long haul.

Many are quick to highlight the number of converts joining their churches, but the real measure of our spiritual maturity lies in how many of those individuals are still faithfully with us one or five years later. This retention rate reflects our effectiveness as a church body in nurturing and discipling new believers. Rarely do we hear churches celebrate the percentage of converts who remain after several years, yet this is a crucial indicator of long-term success. Focusing solely on initial numbers can be misleading and even harmful, as it overlooks the vital importance of sustained growth and genuine discipleship, potentially leading other ministries to prioritize quantity over quality.

Conclusion: God’s Timing and the Redemptive Process

Understanding God’s timing and seasons goes beyond mere concepts of time. It’s not simply about waiting on Him; it’s about embracing the redemptive process He has set in motion. When we are truly prepared for growth, it will naturally unfold. God isn’t delaying or arriving late—He’s patiently waiting for us, His church, to be ready. Let’s focus on preparing a place for Him, where His work can flourish in us and through us.

About Pastor James Smith

Pastor James Smith, Valparaiso, Indiana – Founder of PreachIt.org, OpportunityHope.org, and PastoralHelps.com.

He equips pastors worldwide with sermons, leadership tools, and encouragement, while also caring for orphaned and at-risk children in West Bengal, India through OpportunityHope. Beyond the orphanage and school, OpportunityHope provides clean water wells, livestock, and other humanitarian helps to families and villages in need. Additional books, leadership training, and mentoring resources are available through PastoralHelps.com.