Ezra 3-4; John 5; Psalm 113; Psalm 127

Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
⁶ who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
⁸ to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹ He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 113: 5-9 ESV)

God sees the invisible, the needy, the hurting. He sees the real person. not the broken shell.

³ In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. ⁵ One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:3-6 ESV)

He looked deep into this individual and recognized the healing that was needed. And, after 38 years of waiting, this man experiences a new body.

The Jews also had to wait for God’s timing in the rebuilding of the temple. Their diligent craftsmanship was put to a halt when opposition brought their efforts to the attention of the king. God’s timeline doesn’t always make sense from our human mind.

God’s timing for restoration might not match our expectation. Lysa Terkeurst said,

 “What if disappointment is really the exact appointment your soul needs to radically encounter God?”

We don’t know for sure the heart response of this man that was healed, or the work that God did in Jerusalem as they waited years for the temple’s completion, but we can be sure that God did not waste those opportunities. After 38 years, that man did face a radical encounter with God, one that might not have been so radical had it come 37 years and 11 months earlier.

God works in the wisest way and driven by His great love for us. Reminds me of another quote from this book I am reading through right now:

“God’s Word is the Truth. And His Truth says you are a holy and dearly loved child of your heavenly Father. You are wonderfully made. You are a treasure. You are beautiful. You are fully known by Him and lavishly loved by Him. You are chosen. You are special. You are set apart. No matter what you’ve done or what’s been done to you, these words of God are true about you.”
(Lysa TerKeurst, It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered)

As we wait we can be assured that God sees us, loves us, and has the wisest plan.

It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep. (Psalm 127:2 ESV)

Dear Father God, resting in You today. In Your timing and guidance. The waiting is hard and sometimes painful, but thank you for the assurance that You see me and love me. In Jesus Name Amen.

Erin (6intow)

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