God's Timing - Always Perfect!

 "But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law" (Galatians 4:4).

In some translations, the first words of this verse, are "In the fullness of time..."

Same meaning. It is a theological and historical phrase marking the precise, divine moment chosen by God for Jesus Christ's incarnation and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. All preparatory conditions for Christ's arrival had been met and were in perfect alignment with the arrival of Jesus. It was a exact time pre-determined by God.

You don't have to be a Bible student very long to realize that God's timing is always perfect!

Christ came during a time period called the "Pax Romana" - Latin for "Roman Peace" - the golden age of the Roman Empire - roughly a 200 year period of ancient Rome that is remembered for its  relative peace and order. The common Greek language was spoken and understood throughout the Kingdom. The ancient texts, including the Hebrew Scriptures, had been translated into Greek and available in libraries for all to read.

One government united the provinces of Europe and travel was easy. A vast system of roads enabled the Roman government to dispatch military troops throughout the Kingdom at a moment's notice (These roads also enabled the early church missionaries, like Peter and Paul, and their successors, to travel safely and freely  throughout the kingdom, planting new churches and spreading the gospel!)

Herod had enlarged and modernized the Temple in Jerusalem, where Jesus could preach His gospel message -- His New Covenant, proclaimed in the Old Testament, now being read by all in the common language, including the numerous prophecies related to His ministry, and these could now be verified!

"Is Jesus the One we are waiting for?" people could ask and study to be sure!

Yes, God's timing is always perfect! 

Our human timing is not so good. I remember reading that Napoleon Bonaparte, in the 1790's, discovered that food, when heated, could be preserved for long periods of time and still retain flavor and freshness, if kept in a secure container.

In 1810, a British inventor applied this to his own work, and came up with the world's first canned goods! But his 'cans' were wrought iron and so thick they had to be opened with a hammer and chisel!

About 50 years later an American inventor, with thinner tin cans, came up with an actual can opener that could puncture a can and saw the lid off! It wasn't until 1870 that a rotary can opened appeared on the market that could actually be used by consumers in their own kitchens. (Not electric, of course!).

We are so thankful for all the variety of foods we can now purchase, bring home, and open for use when we please!

We can even can our own food!

But think of it - after canned foods were available, it took over 70 years to get a can opener!

Nothing compares with God's perfect timing in all He does!

Focus on this verse: "For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"(Ephesians 2:10),

In eons past, God had a plan for our lives - work for us to do - and so He arranged for us to be in the exact place where He wants us to be, and equipped us to do exactly what He wants us to do!

Perfect timing...start to finish! Think about it today!