The Fine Print: God’s Watch Ticks Differently—Trust It

Feb 17
7 min read

All time zones obey His watch.

Embracing Divine Timing and Faithfulness

Lord, open our hearts to hear from You. Let Your word breathe life into every situation we face as we trust in Your perfect timing. Shape our faith and guide us as we surrender to Your plan. Thank You for what You are already doing. Amen.

Today, we’re unlocking a truth that could bring you clarity.

Let me ask you something: Have you ever been stuck waiting for a breakthrough, wondering if God has forgotten you? I am glad to know I'm not alone!

Most of the battles we face don’t happen on the outside—they happen inside us. They’re the wars we fight against doubt, impatience, and discouragement, just to name a few, when life doesn’t go as planned. But here’s the good news: trusting God’s timing and staying faithful through the fight go hand in hand. Once we learn how these two work together, we unlock the secret to living victoriously.

Are you ready to break it down and see how to align your faith with God’s perfect plan? Let’s dive into this week’s fine print and uncover what it really means to trust Heaven’s timing while standing strong on the battlefield.

God’s Timepiece Doesn’t Follow Trends-It Sets Eternal Standards

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." – Galatians 6:9

When you’re waiting on God, it’s easy to feel like nothing is happening. You’ve prayed, fasted, and obeyed, but all you hear is silence. Doubt starts whispering, “Did God forget about me? Did I miss something?” But Galatians 6:9 reminds us of a powerful truth: there’s a harvest coming if we don’t give up. Perseverance isn’t about passively waiting—it’s about fighting through the internal battle of doubt and the fear of the unknown.

Let’s dive into an incredible story that shows us how God’s timing, paired with obedience and humility, can bring the breakthrough we’ve been praying for.

Obedience Unlocks Breakthrough: Naaman’s Journey

(2 Kings 5:1-14)

Meet Naaman! He wasn’t just any man; he was a commander, someone used to giving orders and being respected. But Naaman had a problem that no amount of power or money could fix he had leprosy, a disease that carried both physical suffering and social shame. He was desperate for healing, but how he would receive that healing would test him in ways he never expected.

Now, let’s put this into perspective. Naaman wasn’t an Israelite, he was a Gentile, which means he wasn’t part of God’s chosen nation, the people of Israel. The Israelites had a covenant relationship with God, built through generations of promises starting with Abraham. Gentiles, on the other hand, were considered outsiders to these promises.

Even though Naaman wasn’t part of the covenant, God extended His grace to him. Why? For the Glory of God. His plans aren’t restricted by human qualifications. And if you think your background, mistakes, or labels disqualify you from God’s favor, think again. God’s grace reaches further than we can imagine.

Here’s where the story takes a surprising turn. Naaman’s healing didn’t come through his political connections or riches. It started with someone the world would’ve overlooked—a young servant girl. This girl had been taken captive from Israel and placed in Naaman’s household, serving his wife. But instead of becoming bitter or staying silent, she chose to speak in faith. She told Naaman’s wife about a prophet in Israel named Elisha who could heal him.

Think about that for a moment. This young girl—captive, enslaved, and far from her home didn’t let her position dictate her faith. Dear cyber-fam, pull your phone in close, take note: never think where you are in life disqualifies you from being used by God!!!!! Your faith and testimony could be the key that unlocks someone else’s miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The servant girl’s words were bold, courageous, and full of trust in God’s power. Don’t underestimate the power of your voice. What you say today could change someone’s life tomorrow.

Let’s Look at the Fine Print: Slavery in the Bible

Buzz word. Did you catch what I saw in this text? This young girl wasn’t in Naaman’s house by choice she was taken captive. Now, let’s pause here, because this is something that often raises questions: Why does the Bible mention slavery? Did God approve of it? Let’s dive into the fine print and what Scripture says—and doesn’t say—about slavery.

First, let’s be clear: God never approved of slavery. Our Father would never. He loves us too much! Remember that. It was never part of His perfect plan for humanity. In fact, we see in Genesis 1:27 that God created humanity in His image, with equal value and dignity. However, because of sin, human societies have often created broken systems, including slavery.

Understanding Slavery in Context

Slavery in the ancient world was different from the race-based slavery that many of us think of today. In biblical times, slavery often resulted from war, debt, or extreme poverty. Some people even sold themselves into servitude to survive or pay off debts (Leviticus 25:39). Others, like this servant girl, became slaves through conquest or captivity. Even though slavery was part of the culture, God set boundaries to protect the dignity of those in servitude.

For example:

Hebrew slaves were to be released after six years of service (Exodus 21:2).
Runaway slaves were not to be returned to their masters but allowed to live freely (Deuteronomy 23:15-16).
Masters were commanded to treat their slaves fairly, with severe consequences for mistreatment (Exodus 21:20-21).

Even within this broken system, God showed His heart for justice and compassion. These laws reminded the people that slavery was never meant to dehumanize or oppress—it was a temporary condition within a flawed human system.

continue....Naaman’s Journey of Humility

Naaman followed the servant girl’s advice and went to Elisha. But when he arrived, he didn’t get the grand welcome he expected. Elisha didn’t even come out to greet him—instead, he sent a messenger with simple instructions: “Go wash in the Jordan River seven times.”

Naaman was furious. The Jordan River was dirty and unimpressive compared to the rivers back home. His pride almost stopped him from obeying. How often do we feel the same way when God’s instructions seem too simple or don’t meet our expectations?

Just to put this into perspective: Imagine you’ve been told that the best heart doctor in town has a 100% success rate. Desperate for healing, you book an appointment, thinking you’ll meet the doctor face-to-face and receive expert care. But when you arrive, a nurse walks in and says, “The doctor sent me to operate on you.” You’d probably be confused, maybe even a little offended. You might think, “Wait, I came here for the top specialist! Why isn’t he seeing me himself?”

That’s exactly how Naaman felt. He came expecting something grand, something worthy of his rank and status, and instead, he got simple instructions delivered by a messenger. His pride made him question the process. But God’s ways are often different from our expectations (Isaiah 55:8-9), and what seemed like an insult was actually an invitation to obedience.

Thankfully, Naaman’s servants encouraged him to reconsider. They told him, “If the prophet had told you to do something great, wouldn’t you have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you to wash and be cleansed!” (2 Kings 5:13). Their words humbled him. Sometimes, God will place people around us to remind us not to give up when we’re frustrated or confused by His instructions.

Naaman finally obeyed. He dipped himself into the Jordan River seven times. Can you imagine what he was thinking by the fourth or fifth dip? “Is this really going to work?” But he kept going, and by the seventh time, he came out of the water completely healed. His skin was restored, and more importantly, so was his faith.

Glory! Thank you, Jesus!

The Lesson: Obedience + Perseverance = Breakthrough

Naaman’s story teaches us that obedience often requires humility, and the miracle isn’t always immediate. His healing didn’t happen after the first dip or the third—it happened after he fully obeyed. Sometimes, God’s process doesn’t make sense, but every act of obedience moves you closer to the breakthrough.

Real-Life Tie-In

Think about your situation—what instruction are you struggling with? Are you feeling the pull of the Holy Spirit to believe again after facing disappointment? Maybe you’ve tried reading the Bible but feel like you don’t understand it. God might be saying, “Keep reading. I will reveal it in time.” Perhaps you’ve been denied for that house or job six times, and the weight of rejection feels unbearable. Complete the full instructions—don’t stop short of the breakthrough.

Or maybe you’ve been seeking to hear God’s voice, but the silence is deafening. Be still until you do. Stop trying to fill the quiet with your own voice. Open your heart to the possibility of an uncomfortable response from Him. God’s direction doesn’t always feel easy, but it always leads to life.

No matter what it is, be encouraged today that your faithful steps—no matter how difficult—are leading you to the most profound miracles.

Conclusion

Friend, God’s timing is never off. It’s not about immediate results or flashy miracles—it’s about the quiet, steady faithfulness of following His instructions even when it’s hard. Just like Naaman had to humble himself and trust, you, too, have to lean into God’s process. The miracle comes not in your timing, but in God’s perfect time. Trust that every act of obedience, every prayer, every step is leading you closer to the breakthrough He’s already planned for you.

Stay encouraged. What God started, He is faithful to complete.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that Your timing is perfect, and Your instructions are intentional. Help me to trust You when I don’t understand, to obey even when it feels uncomfortable, and to persevere when I want to give up. I surrender my doubts, fears, and frustrations to You. Strengthen my faith and guide me step by step, knowing that every faithful step moves me closer to Your promise. I declare that I will not grow weary, and I will reap the harvest You’ve prepared for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See you next week, Friend!