He Is with You in the Waiting

In most of our Bibles, going from the book of Malachi in the Old Testament to the book of Matthew in the New Testament is a simple flip of one page. But that page represents so much. Approximately four hundred years of waiting, to be exact. Scholars refer to this period as the “intertestamental period,” or the “400 Silent Years.” During this time, there were no recorded prophetic or divine messages, leading some to perceive it as a period of divine silence. However, beneath the surface, significant historical, cultural, and geopolitical events were shaping the world stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ and the start of the church.

God’s providence was evident in several ways: the establishment of the Roman empire, the building of roads and synagogues, Greek language, religious tolerance, the development of Jewish political parties, and more. All these things helped facilitate the timing of Jesus’ birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, and the spread of the gospel. Though these four hundred years lacked explicit revelation, it was a time of profound preparation orchestrated by God.

This is a reminder that God doesn’t operate on our timeline but on His. In Galatians 4:4, Paul proclaimed, “when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son” (NASB). When all the details of God’s plan added up perfectly, He sent Jesus on a rescue mission. If I operated on my timeline and followed my plan, I would miss out on a lot.

We see our present, but God knows our future. In Jeremiah 29:11, although the nation of Israel would live in captivity and exile for seventy years due to their disobedience, God proclaimed, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Even in seasons of suffering and hardship, God has great plans for our lives.

During what might feel like a waiting season, be encouraged that no time is wasted. What feels like a no might be a “not now.” What feels like a failure might be fickle feelings. And what feels like a period of silence might be your preparation period. God works through the wait.

Pray:

Thank you, God, that your plan is the best one, and that you will sustain me today as I wait on your perfect timing. Amen.