I heard about a man who found a ticket for his shoe repair that he had lost almost ten years earlier. Considering he had nothing to lose, he went to the shoe repair shop and provided the ticket. The shoe repairman took it, went into the back and after some time returned. The man asked, “Did you find the shoes?” “Yes, they will be ready next Friday.” This is procrastination, but we must never consider that God’s timing is anything but perfect. Have you ever met a person who holds a grudge against God for something that happened which the person concluded God should have prevented? This is wrong in so many ways I don’t have time to explain, but it is akin to questioning God’s timing.

Frequently, I need to be reminded of several things in light of all that is happening today.

1. Nothing escapes God’s knowledge or remedy. “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples….But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” (Ps. 33: 10-11,12-15).
2. God is not ambivalent toward wickedness. “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.” (Ps. 11: 5-6).
3. We should not fret because of the wicked. (Ps. 37: 1-2, 7-9). “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” (Ps. 37: 1-2, 7-9).
4. God’s will can not be thwarted. “He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Eph. 1: 9-12)
5. God can keep the wicked under wrath and at the same time protect and bless His children. “…the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.” (2 Peter 2:9). “What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?” (Romans 9: 22-24).
6. The wicked will be destroyed in an instant and forgotten. “For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.” (Ps. 37: 9-10). “God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” (Romans 2: 6-9). If you were shocked by the behavior of New York’s politicians who rejoiced to have more babies killed, this scripture explains such action. “You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.” (Ps. 12: 7-8). However, don’t think such acts will go forward with no recourse from Almighty God. “…Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: ‘So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’ ” (Rom. 3: 4, quoting Ps. 51: 4).
7. Mercy is found through Yeshua Messiah. We have all sinned and are deserving wrath, however, all who believe and accept Yeshua Messiah as Lord and Savior will receive mercy and forgiveness. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (John 1: 17-18).