Devos with Davis: Trusting in God’s timeline

A couple weeks ago, I had to make a choice. I found myself standing at a crossroads with two options before me, and I was unsure of what to do. Usually, in these kinds of situations, I will draft up a Venn diagram, throw together some form of a pro/con list, or sincerely pray about the issue before taking a step forward in one direction or another. However, none of my usual methods were working, and the anticipation of making a choice felt utterly agonizing.  

I kept imagining what it would be like to be on the other side of that decision; but once I snapped out of my musings, I still found myself stuck at square one. It felt as if I was waltzing back and forth, quickstepping with the idea of one option and tap dancing with the next. 

As I continued to weigh the choices before me, I earnestly wished for someone other than myself to tell me what to do, so that I didn’t have to shoulder the burden of the consequences that would follow my decision; but then I wouldn’t truly be living by faith. The classic, colloquial term, “leap of faith,” isn’t synonymous with “baby step of faith” and I was dreading the acceptance of that fact.  

While the fantasy of receiving an outline foretelling the respective outcomes of my decision seemed like ample protection from the pain of a misstep, merely bouncing back and forth with what could be never usually results in what actually will be — or what should be. 

My entire situation was transformed when I instead chose to give all of my attention to God and remembered how he had previously carried me through situations that were equally hard and seemingly impossible. It was taking this prayerful moment of gratitude that helped me to finally make a decision and embrace a new chapter of my life no matter the outcome, because I was able to put my trust solely in the Father. 

Throughout this time of internal debate, I was reminded of Isaiah 30. In this passage, the prophet Isaiah describes the people of Judah’s rebellion against God and their habit of desiring sanctuary in Egypt — even though the Egyptians did not respect or value Judah — as it says in Isaiah 30:1-5. During this time, the Israelites had to make a decision regarding their safety, as they were under attack by the Assyrians. But instead of seeking the Lord for protection, the Israelites wanted to “take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh” (Isaiah 30:2), according to EnduringWord.com.  

While college is a starkly different landscape from that of an Old Testament battleground, my first inclination when making my decision was similar to the Israelites — I wanted to handle my situation on my own strength, instead of first going to the Lord for direction. Once I was convicted to deny my need for control and let God’s timing prevail over my own schedule, things became miraculously less complicated. 

Near the end of Isaiah 30, God in his complete mercy and grace, outlined how he planned to bless the Israelites if they simply remembered to trust his timeline.  

Isaiah 30:18 states, “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”  

Even though God had rescued the Israelites numerous times, they continued to let their present situation distort their view of God’s faithfulness and how he had rescued them in the past.  

Isaiah 30: 20-21 states, “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.”  

These verses illustrate how “It’s always better to be uncomfortable and in tune with the Lord than to be comfortable and out of step with God,” according to EnduringWord.com. While it may seem strange, God tends to use hardships and obstacles to bring his people back to him, so that they can be reminded of his omnipotence and unique ability to overcome any situation. Humanity must remember to take these opportunities to trust in him. 

Just like the Israelites, I had to learn to quiet my anxious heart to hear God’s voice and take that “leap of faith.” It was only after surrendering my will to him that I was able to boldly pursue the next chapter — no matter the outcome — because he is always near.  

Isaiah 43:2 states, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” 

Davis is the Editor-in-Chief of the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X.