God's Character

The waiting passenger became furious with the gate attendant when the time of departure for his flight had been delayed. “What good are those numbers if you have to change them and tell us that the flight is being delayed?” he demanded.

“Well, sir,” said the attendant, “no one would be prepared for the departure of the flight unless we keep our passengers informed.”

There is a strong statement about the character of God in this Psalm. The people were suffering and felt separated from God because of the sin in their lives. We often forget that suffering and sin are inseparable. And instead of crying to be delivered from sin, they wanted to be delivered from their suffering. But that’s not the way God works!

“You will arise and have compassion,” he wrote, “for it is time to show favor to Your chosen.” There was no doubt in his mind that God would show compassion - but it would be in His time and on His terms. Our God is a righteous God and we cannot expect Him to show us His favor if we are disobedient to His Word.

“You will arise,” said the Psalmist in confidence. He knew that God was not inattentive to their needs. He knew that “the appointed time had come.”

What determines the “appointed time” for God to respond to our prayers? Our attitude: repenting and asking for forgiveness. Then He will open our eyes and we will see Him in all of His glory at work in our lives.

Prayer: Father, may we understand the fact that we must confess and forsake our sins if we want to be blest. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 102:13 You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.