In the Fullness of Time
In Galatians 4 we read that “when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law…”
Under God’s providential hand, all things in history came to pass in preparation for His Son to be revealed. All things in creation had been orchestrated for this one decisive moment. This includes everything from His covenantal promises and law, marriages, the rise and fall of empires, simple moments of obedience, and even the disobedience of sinful men. Christ came in “the fullness of time.” The prophets earnestly inquired into His appearing, but the revelation of the mystery was kept secret until the exact right moment (1 Pet. 1:10–12, Rom. 16:25–27).
Now, one may be tempted to wonder why the Father did not send the Son earlier. Why did He allow His people to wander in relative darkness for so many centuries? And the simple, yet true, answer is—it belongs to God alone to judge and determine such things. The secret things belong to the Lord (Dt. 29:29).
As Isaiah once wrote, His thoughts are not your thoughts, and His ways are not your ways. As far as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His thoughts and ways higher than yours… and that is good (Isa. 55:8–9). God’s plan is perfect.
Some of you here this morning may be well acquainted with waiting. The question of why God has not brought something to pass yet is not theoretical for you, but very tangible. You may be waiting for a spouse, or for the Lord to give you a child. Maybe you’re waiting to discover your career. Perhaps you’re waiting for an apology or have bodily ailments that need healing.
If you’ve been waiting on God, what I want you to hear this morning is that our Lord’s incarnation demonstrates that God is in control, that He is good, and that He is indeed with you. He not only perfectly plans all things for His Son, but He does the same for those who are united to His Son. “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28).
If you can trust the perfect plan of the Father when it comes to the salvation of the world and your own soul, then you can trust Him with everything else. Therefore, in the words of King David, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart, wait, I say, on the Lord” (Ps. 27:14).