TIME – THE BIGGEST TEST OF VISION

“UNTIL THE TIME that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him” – Psalm 105:19

God will test us in many ways on the pathway of Purpose, but TIME is THE BIGGEST TEST of VISION: “He sent a man before them – Joseph – who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. UNTIL THE TIME that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions” (Psa.105:17-21). When Joseph’s Word-appointed TIME came, it became evident that he who was SOLD as a slave was actually a SENT MAN. In time, the prisoner became the Prime Minister who could “bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom” (v.22). When you pass the Test of Timing, kings will send for you and every prison must release you!

Let’s garner a few more lessons about the TIMING of Vision from the Story of Joseph:

In time, perseverance is profitable. Faith, patience and perseverance will ultimately bring your dreams to fulfilment: “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb.6:12). Joseph was seventeen years old when God gave him his destiny dreams (Gen.37:2). He was thirty years when he became Governor of Egypt (Gen.41:46). Joseph had to endure many trials but he remained faithful to God through it all. The faithful are the fruitful: “…For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Gen.41:52b). If you want to fulfil your destiny, you’ll have to learn to persevere through faith. Like it was with Joseph, God knows what you will go through before your dream is fulfilled but He’ll make it come to pass anyway (Psa.105:17-21).

In time, God will fulfil His promise and much more. He always gives more than what He promised. When Joseph was made governor, he was overwhelmed and named his firstborn Manasseh, saying: “God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house” (Gen.41: 51). He thought his elevation was the ultimate and was content to live without his family, but God had something better in mind. On top of being lord over all Egypt, having a lot wealth and power and being blessed with his own children, God reunited Joseph with his family. When God is fulfilling that promise He gave you, be sure there will be additions to it because He gives abundantly.

It can be a tough struggle to trust in God’s timing and His magnificent plans and purposes. Not being able to see where the road you’re currently on will lead can provoke feelings of apprehension within you. When that happens, please rest assure in the fact that God has every aspect of your life perfectly planned out. He has everything under control and ultimately holds your life in His hands. You may not understand in the present, but eventually God will reveal to you why you went through everything you did. Never mistake His patience for His absence. God’s Timing is perfect; and His Presence is perpetual.

God is preparing His future for you in a slow-cooker, not in a microwave. His plan for you is peculiar and therefore must not be rushed. His Timing is perfect: “To everything there is a season, a TIME for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl.3:1). This includes timing for the fulfilment of your Vision: “at the RIGHT TIME, I, the LORD will make it happen” (Isa.60:22b, NLT). Habakkuk 2: 3-4 says concerning the Timing of Vision: “For the VISION is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” God in His sovereign wisdom has TIMING for every vision. We must learn to maximise time and move at His pace in order not to miss His timing. Beloved, your vision is for an appointed time; wait for it, it will surely come, in Jesus name, Amen.