Matthew 17:1-2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

We hardly ever know God’s timing. Jesus had said, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) Then here, just six days later, three of the disciples see Jesus in His glory. They obviously didn’t expect that! God’s promises are sure, whether they are fulfilled six days or 6,000 years later. That’s why Peter, one of the three privileged disciples here, later wrote, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) We can say that and think we understand it, but we have a hard time wrapping our minds around it emotionally. Patience is a huge part of faith! That’s why one of the favorite expressions in the whole Bible is “wait in hope,” or “wait expectantly.” Japanese has an expression that says that perfectly, but for some reason, Bible translations in English rarely put it as a compound, saying either “wait” or “hope.” One of the most famous places that appears happens to be our Verse for the Year in this church: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) That has been set to music as “They that wait upon the Lord,” but  just waiting gets old very quickly! That’s why Peter also famously told us to be prepared to “give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15) When we wait in hope, that is the very definition of faith, and people take notice. More importantly, God takes notice, and He approves.

This certainly applies to me no less than it does to anyone else! We have been in Omura now for 43 years, and though we have seen some fruit, we haven’t seen the fulfillment of the vision God gave us of Omura becoming the foremost Christian city in the nation, as it was 450 years ago. Whether anyone remembers me when that does happen is unimportant. God said it, so that settles it. Recently many people have been feeling that the Lord’s return is imminent. That could well be, but as my wife and I say to each other, anytime someone gives a specific date, we can be sure it won’t happen that day! There are people with whom I’ve shared the Gospel who haven’t seemed to respond, but that doesn’t mean they won’t. I am to operate always in hope, but never try to put God into a box. God’s timing is perfect, and ours hardly ever is! I am to walk in faithful obedience, never letting go of hope, so that His will may be done in and through me for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Next week we’ll be having our annual business meeting, and we need to know what You want us doing this fiscal year. Help us have unity of purpose because we are agreed with You, so that the love we have for each other would proclaim Christ to those around us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!