Where did I leave that patience?

Today's Reading: Nehemiah 6:15-19

In this post on Nehemiah 3, we saw the building of the wall begin at the Sheep Gate and circle all the way around Jerusalem to end back up at the Sheep Gate. And here in the end of chapter 6, we see that it took them all of 52 days to complete the work.

52 days!?! Even with all the work to be done? Even with all the opposition they faced?

Yep. 52 days.

God started them out at one place, and brought them all the way around full circle back to the starting point, and they were finished. Just goes to show you what God can accomplish on His timetable.

I have friends who needed to sell their home and got an offer within days of the house going on the market. I've heard stories of people who had no plans to add to their family until faced with children who needed a home and then they had all the necessary paperwork fly through in a matter of days or weeks, rather than the months it normally takes. I know people who met and married the love of their life within just weeks and have remained married for years.

And then there are other stories...of people who have waited and waited and waited for a dream to come true. And who may have despaired that God was even listening anymore.

I wish I could give you all a reason why it happens that way. But only God knows that. The thing I do know is that God's timing is perfect. He is always working, whether we can see the work or not, and His timing is perfect. Furthermore, just as Nehemiah found, even our opposition will lose their confidence when God's work becomes apparent...regardless of how long it takes.

So whether it is 52 days, or weeks, or yes, even years, we can count on the fact that God is working. And that should bring us some comfort while we are waiting.

Now if I could just find where I left that patience at...

- Holly Barrett