How can we trust God's timing in overcoming obstacles, like Ehud in Judges? Setting the scene • Israel had fallen into idolatry; God allowed Moab’s king, Eglon, to oppress them for eighteen years (Judges 3:12-14). • When the people cried out, the LORD raised up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as deliverer (Judges 3:15). • Every detail—Ehud’s left-handedness, the concealed double-edged sword, the private audience—was orchestrated by God at exactly the right moment. The turning point: Judges 3:22 “Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud could not withdraw the sword. And the dung came out.” • A graphic, literal snapshot of the decisive stroke God timed perfectly. • What looked like eighteen years of unanswered prayer ended in an instant because the LORD’s clock, not Israel’s, governed the outcome. • The sword staying lodged meant no quick alarm; Ehud escaped, rallied Israel, and the nation enjoyed eighty years of peace (Judges 3:30). Lessons on trusting God’s timing 1. God’s delays refine faith, not deny it – Psalm 27:14: “Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!” 2. God positions His people precisely – Ehud’s left-handedness let him hide the sword on the right thigh—guards checked the left. – Esther 4:14 echoes the principle: “For such a time as this…” 3. God engineers the smallest details – A closed private chamber (Judges 3:20) meant no witnesses. – Matthew 10:30: even the hairs of our head are numbered. 4. God’s timing magnifies His glory – Eglon’s humiliating death contrasted sharply with God’s honor. – Isaiah 42:8: “I will not give My glory to another.” Practical steps for today • Recall past deliverances—write them down; memory fuels patience. • Submit daily plans to God, trusting He sees hidden variables. • Refuse shortcuts; Ehud waited until the exact moment to strike. • Stay spiritually prepared—Ehud forged the sword beforehand; we cultivate prayer, Scripture, and obedience now. • Encourage one another with testimonies of God’s perfect timing. Encouragement from other Scriptures • Galatians 4:4: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son…”—even redemption arrived on schedule. • Romans 8:28: “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him…” • Ecclesiastes 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” • Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength…” Closing thoughts God’s calendar never slips. Ehud’s story proves that when obstacles loom long and large, the LORD is already crafting the moment of breakthrough. Trust His timing, stay ready, and watch Him turn years of oppression into decades of peace. |
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