How can we discern God's timing in our lives, like Jehu's mission? Setting the Scene: Jehu at Ramoth-gilead “ But King Joram had retreated to Jezreel to recover from the wounds the Arameans had inflicted on him in his battle with Aram’s King Hazael. Jehu said, ‘If you are so minded, let no one escape or leave the city to go tell it in Jezreel.’ ” (2 Kings 9:15) • Ramoth-gilead was the front line in Israel’s war; Jehu was a commander, not yet a king. • God had earlier sent Elisha’s prophet to anoint Jehu (vv. 1-13). The divine plan was clear, but the exact moment to act still needed to come. • Verse 15 records Jehu’s decisive statement. He discerned that the “now” of God had arrived and moved immediately, sealing the city so news could not sabotage the mission. Why Timing Mattered for Jehu • God’s prophetic word had a specific window: the house of Ahab was ripe for judgment (1 Kings 19:16-18). • Delay would have allowed Joram to recover, regroup, and resist, risking the mission. • Premature action before full anointing would have been mere rebellion. Jehu waited until the prophet’s oil was still fresh on his head. • Jehu’s obedience shows that when God’s appointed hour strikes, hesitation is disobedience just as surely as presumption is. Principles for Discerning God’s Timing Today • Confirmed Word – God speaks first (Isaiah 55:11). Jehu had the prophet’s literal, unmistakable word. • Providential Alignment – External circumstances lined up: Joram was weakened, Israel’s troops already gathered. • Inner Conviction – “If you are so minded…” Jehu sensed divine urgency and rallied others. • Peace Amid Urgency – Though swift, the move was not panicked; it was purposeful (Colossians 3:15). • Fruit Test – Jehu’s timing produced the exact outcome prophesied; God-honoring fruit confirms correct timing (Matthew 7:17). Practices to Stay Sensitive to God’s Clock • Daily Scripture intake: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Prayerful watchfulness: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it.” (Colossians 4:2) • Spirit-led counsel: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22) • Willing patience: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage.” (Psalm 27:14) • Obedient readiness: keep relationships, finances, and commitments in order so immediate obedience is possible when God says “Go.” Encouraging Examples from the Rest of Scripture • Noah – waited decades building the ark until the very day God shut the door (Genesis 7:16). • Moses – forty years in Midian before “Go now; I am sending you to Pharaoh” (Exodus 3:10). • David – anointed as a youth, crowned years later when “all the tribes of Israel came” (2 Samuel 5:1-3). • Esther – fasted three days, then acted “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). • Jesus – “My time has not yet come” (John 7:6), then “the hour has come” (John 12:23). • Early Church – waited in Jerusalem until “the day of Pentecost had fully come” (Acts 2:1). Living It Out This Week • Identify any clear scriptural directives you have received and assess whether the needed alignment has appeared. • Examine motives—are they self-driven or surrendered to the Lord’s purpose? • Keep short accounts with God; unconfessed sin dulls spiritual hearing. • Hold plans loosely; invite the Spirit to override your calendar. • When God’s “now” becomes evident, respond like Jehu—decisively, confidently, and completely. |
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