GETTING ON GOD’S TIMETABLE FOR TRANSFORMATION
No doubt there have been many questions directed at God that have provoked Him, particularly the questions that demonstrate unbelief or lack of faith. It stands to reason that if faith pleases God, i.e. Hebrews 11:6, then our lack of faith must be displeasing to Him. An example of a faithless question that provoked God is found in Exodus 17:7, where Moses writes, And He called the place Massah , or “testing,” and Meribah , “place of strife,” because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
That’s a pretty audacious question to throw at God! Funny, how those kinds of questions pop up during our “wilderness” moments. God pointed out through the psalmist David, why this question provoked Him so: “They tried Me, though they had seen My work” (Psalm 95:9b NASB). God had reminded the Israelites that in a favorable time, He had answered them, and in a day of salvation He had helped them. God was demonstrating His faithfulness to Israel again and again, but this time, to them at least, His timing was off.
I wonder how many times I have personally provoked God by thinking He was not moving fast enough, thus, questioning His motive for making me wait. Even though in my heart I knew God was going to move in greater ways, the temptation was to accuse God of reluctance to fulfill His promises because He didn’t respond according to my timetable. How quick we are in the Church today, to suggest to God, even in the way we pray, that He is unloving, unmerciful, impatient, easily angered, and slow to bring salvation.
Yet, the issue is never that God is reluctant; the problem always lies with us. I heard a quote recently, while listening to a brief sermon on transforming revival. “What lies have convinced us of God’s reluctance to come and transform our world? It has nothing to do with His reluctance, but everything to do with our resistance.” I believe that is the reason transforming revival delays.
The Apostle Paul powerfully expresses the desire of God’s heart when he declares, For He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU”; behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” (2 Corinthians 6:2 NASB). Did you catch that? God says He wants to move NOW, so why doesn’t He? Why does genuine Transforming Revival delay? Again, the problem is not God’s reluctance, but our resistance to walking in genuine covenant relationship with Him.
In her book, Desperate For His Presence, Rhonda Hughey suggests some spiritual keys that will unlock heaven’s door more quickly:
Unity of God’s people – a collective expression of interdependence across denominational lines.
Love and humility – this must mark all we do in the name of Jesus with and for others.
Repentance – 2 Chronicles 7:14 must guide our return to covenant relationship with God and others.
Intimacy with Christ – This enables us to take up our unique role as the bride and body of Christ!
*Prayer – “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His highest willingness.”
Is God willing to send genuine, transforming revival? Yes, He is willing, right now. How do I know this? Because He has already been doing it all over the world. The question is, are we really desperate for this move of God? George Otis, Jr. said, “When individuals in societies are shorn of their strength; when they are awash in desperation, the conditions are ripe for deliverance.”
May we no longer provoke God by our unbelief, but let us take Him at His word and walk in covenant relationship with Him and others, until the heavens are opened.
* Though the importance of prayer is detailed throughout Rhonda’s book, it is not mentioned in this particular list.
