OCTOBER 5, Deuteronomy 1:6-8 

Abraham, with his son Isaac and grandson Jacob, dwelt in the land of Canaan as strangers because the land was not yet theirs. It was occupied and owned by various tribes sometimes collectively called the Canaanites. One reason the patriarchs had not gained possession of Canaan, their Promised Land, was that the iniquity of the Amorites was not yet full (Genesis 15:16).

God is the Judge of all the earth. It was not until 430 years after Abraham’s children had sojourned in Egypt that Canaan would then be ripe for judgement and the land transferred to them (Genesis 15:16). Indeed we are reminded in another Bible verse that “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

When God’s hour of judgement came, the Lord instructed Moses with these words, “Turn you, and take your journey...to the land of the Canaanites. Behold I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give unto them, and to their seed after them” (Deuteronomy 1:7- 8). Eventually, the Israelites successfully conquered the land of Canaan.

As children, sometimes we allow our desire for fun or food to control us. Not many children can refrain from an offer of yummy ice- cream and wonderful cookies. Or for an afternoon of fun with friends. But at times, our parents do not allow us to indulge further in fun or food. Why? Perhaps it is because we are not well, or are already too tired, and we know too much ice-cream and games can be bad for us! Mum and Dad know better than us, and they love us, and so we have to abide by their timing. Likewise, God’s timing is not the same as ours, but is always the best.

Thought: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Prayer: Teach me, Heavenly Father, the importance of waiting on You for Your perfect timing. Often I am impatient but help me Lord to wait on You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.