We serve the All-Knowing God who keeps an eye on us all the time. God is never surprised. He knows everything before it happens. Psalm 139 says He knows our thoughts before we think them, and our yet unuttered words.

Most of us need to grow in the area of trust and attempt to silence the big question—WHEN?

I spent a large part of my life impatient, frustrated, and disappointed. Through many experiences, I have learned to trust the One Who knows all.

I pray your spirit will become peaceful as you rest in Him, trusting that in the words of King David, "your times are in His very capable hands" (Ps. 31:15, paraphrased).

Wisdom To Understand "When"
Jesus told the disciples in Acts 1:6-8, when they asked Him questions concerning the end times, that it was not for them to know what time would bring and the seasons which the Father had appointed by His own choice and personal power.

You see, the disciples still thought Jesus would set up an earthly kingdom. They asked when He would re-establish the kingdom and restore it to Israel.

Jesus had been unable to get them to understand that He was going to establish a spiritual kingdom and that His kingdom would be within them.

The Bible warns us that knowledge without wisdom is dangerous. It would have been disastrous for Jesus to tell the disciples when He would establish the kingdom since they did not even understand what it was.

Many times we want information on when, and God cannot give it because we do not have enough wisdom to handle the knowledge.

Habakkuk says,

For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.
(Hab. 2:3 AMP)

It will not be late one single day.

Appointed time also means a time already established and decided for certain reasons. It is like having an appointment. We cannot get in until the appointment time comes, and that is just the way it is.

God has an appointed time, or we might say that He has set appointments for us concerning certain issues in our lives. We might as well settle down and wait patiently because that is when it will happen and not until then.

Excerpted from the book When God When by Joyce Meyer
(Tulsa: Harrison House, 1998) All rights reserved. Used by permission.