There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. ECCLESIASTES 3:1 NASB1995 

You probably remember me mentioning that I’m a total psychopath when it comes to being on time. I will rush like a mad woman to get there, lest the humiliation of being two minutes late is too much for me to bear. (I’m working on this; goodness gracious, help me, Jesus.) 

When it comes to God’s timing for answering our prayers, that feeling of being out of control can grip us. “Why isn’t He healing me when I ask? When will I ever get that promotion? Doesn’t He realize we’re on a time crunch here?” 

Jairus, a wealthy and influential religious leader, felt this very emotion. After hearing Jesus was in town, Jairus begged Him to come heal his dying daughter. As they fought through the crowds toward Jairus’ home, Jesus suddenly stopped. “Who touched me?” He asked. Jairus, I’m sure, was confused and in disbelief. “Bro, did you not hear me? My daughter is dying!” (A loose interpretation of Jairus’s thoughts, of course.) 

However, even in such a life-threatening hour where time was of the essence, Jesus had a plan. The woman with the issue of blood touched Him in the crowd, and Jesus healed her right there on the spot. Seeing this, I’m sure, gave Jairus hope. But to his dismay, a messenger reached Jairus with horrible news—his daughter had died. It was too late. Seeing his grief, Jesus turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Because Jairus had just witnessed that miracle in the crowd, he had enough faith to believe this Messiah could restore his daughter’s life. And, of course, that’s exactly what Jesus did. 

The timing of this miracle was significant. If Jesus had healed the woman with the issue of blood any sooner, Jairus wouldn’t have seen it. Jesus didn’t stop in the crowd because He was delaying time, He did this because it was the perfect time. 

Our Lord is never too early, and He is certainly never too late. There is a purpose behind the timing. In the meantime, like Jairus, all we need to do is quit worrying and have faith. Oh friend, won’t He do it! 

God, I trust Your timing. Help my unbelief and give me peace in the waiting. Amen. 

This is an excerpt from Goodness Gracious: 90 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious Life by Hannah Crews a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.