You Are on The Clock. God is Not.
Isaiah 51:22
"Thus says your Lord, the Lord, your God who pleads the cause of his people: 'Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more...'" (ESV)
I’m a thirty-six-year-old dad of three who left a perfectly good, well-paying ministry W2 to step into the deep end of full-time ministry creation. The vision God gave me is clear: to build a platform that equips people to enjoy God daily through spiritual rhythms—prayer, fasting, scripture—while discovering their God-given purpose. And, for those up for it, to integrate physical endurance challenges that shape not only the body but also the soul.
The financial provision that has flowed in has been nothing short of miraculous—a constant testimony to God’s faithfulness. Just the other day, we received a $300 Kroger gift card for groceries, with no return address. That’s God.
But if I’m honest, I get so impatient. Like the Israelites in exile, I crave overnight success, immediate comfort, or simply my way.
God’s Timing, God’s Way
In my time meditating on Isaiah 51, I’m reminded (again) that God’s way, in God’s timing, with God’s resources is the only reality that leads to life.
At the same time, my heart aches for Israel in this passage. Imagine being the first to hear this prophecy in verse 22. Some of them probably looked down at their chains, remembered their murdered family members, or thought about the enemies still waiting for them—even if they made it out of exile.
But maybe I’m wrong.
When I looked deeper at the full chapter, I saw something incredible: before God promises to remove the cup, He calls His people to remember.
Over and over, He tells them to look back:
To Abraham and Sarah (Isaiah 51:1-2)
To the Red Sea rescue (Isaiah 51:9-11)
To His salvation and righteousness that will never fail (Isaiah 51:6-8)
The Pattern of Faith (and the Antidote to Striving)
There’s a divine rhythm here—a pattern for building faith (trust) in God’s sovereignty and hope in His timing. This pattern applied both to Israel’s present (their release from exile) and their future (the ultimate fulfillment in Christ).
The Never Finished Challenge
REMEMBER → RECEIVE → TRUST = HOPE
Remember God’s Faithfulness in Your Life
Write it down and date it moving forward. You'll start to see that His faithfulness shows up daily! It’s 4:42 AM as I write this, and already His faithfulness has shown up through the encouragement two brothers in Christ gave me—and the day hasn’t even started. Seriously, take time today to reflect and watch how your posture grows in strength!
Receive His Presence and Peace
Receive His presence and peace—on His timeline, with His resources, in His way. When you remember His faithfulness and feel encouraged, but the timeline still doesn’t move—that’s okay! Remembering brings peace, even when the circumstances stay the same. Receive that peace, and be patient with the timeline.
Let Your Trust (Faith) Grow
I love the connection between forgiveness and trust. Often, I’ve had to remind myself that I already forgave someone, even as they try to take up space in my mind again. Each time God reminds me that I forgave them, they get evicted from my thoughts.
Trust works the same way. Some days, trusting God is hard. There will be days when you need to cling to multiple verses, repeat the words "I trust You" fifty times a day for thirty days straight, or ask a friend to remind you why you trust God at all. That’s why the pattern matters—Remember, Receive, Trust. It keeps you anchored when your emotions waver.
This is how hope rises. Eternal hope. Unshakable hope.
What if You’re Too Hurt to Remember?
If you feel too broken, too numb, or too sad to remember—that’s okay. Just keep showing up.
Open the Word, even if you feel nothing. Reach out to friends who can remember for you when your memory fails. Let their testimonies carry you for a while. And if you need time to mourn, take it—but please, don’t mourn alone.
A Blessing for You
May God give you the strength to remember and the courage to trust. And when unfailing, never-ending hope rises within you, may your feet become light and your lungs powerful for the work He has laid before you.
What Does Today Reveal About God?
God is not a formula God. He is a solution God.
And His solutions somehow always exude perfection, patience, justice, and unfailing love—like a perfect Father guiding His son.
He does not want you to remain in exile, slavery, or condemnation. He hates it. And because He is sovereign, He will redeem every drop of suffering and use it for His glory.
He is a good, good Father.
Thank you, Jesus.