How God Demonstrates His Love and Perfect Timing

Sharing is caring!

I’m often stunned by God’s perfect timing and it happened again today.

It’s Good Friday. The day we remember Christ’s suffering and death.

Yesterday was what we call, Maundy Thursday, the day we remember Him washing His disciple’s feet and teaching them a way to remember what He was about to do through participation in the Lord’s supper.

As Jesus’ walked from those events of the Upper Room to the Garden of Gethsemane that night, He knew what was coming. Yet, He continued to teach His disciples the truth they would need as they faced both the near and the distant future.

One of the things the Lord talked about was the importance of love.

John recorded the following…

• I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. (John 15:9)
• When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love. (John 15:10)
• Love each other the way I have loved you. (John 15:12)
• There is no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)
• This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:17)

Jesus made the choice to show us how very much He loved us by sacrificing Himself for us.

In Psalm 41, David was aware of His need for God’s mercy and forgiveness. He began with…

“O Lord,” I prayed, “have mercy on me.
    Heal me, for I have sinned against you.”

Psalm 41:4

Then he added words that stunned me with God’s perfect timing…

But my enemies say nothing but evil about me.
    “How soon will he die and be forgotten?” they ask.
Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely,
    the one who shared my food, has turned against me.

Psalm 41:5,9

The Holy Spirit inspired David almost 1000 years before the events of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday to write a prophecy about the things that would happen to Jesus.

Judas sat at the table with Jesus on Thursday night and shared food with Him.

Jesus was deeply troubled, and He exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

John 13:21

The disciples asked, “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:22)

Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when He had dipped it, He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 

John 13:23

Just hours later, Judas betrayed Jesus to religious leaders who influenced crowds to shout “Crucify Him.”

Jesus always knew that He would endure excruciating suffering for “His friends,” for you and me; and yet, He willingly came to earth and laid His life down for us anyway.

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

There is no greater love than Jesus!

The Word [Jesus] became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:14

Jesus became human to physically show us God’s unfailing love, faithfulness, and perfect timing. His love for us is so great that He chose to die so He wouldn’t have to live without us.

And the Good News, the BEST NEWS, is that Sunday is on the way! David ended Psalm 41 with the following…

I know you are pleased with me,
    for you have not let my enemies triumph over me.
You have preserved my life because I am innocent;
    you have brought me into your presence forever.

Psalm 41:11–12

The enemy did not triumph. Jesus won the victory. You and I are declared innocent through repentance and faith. And we have the promise that the Lord Himself will bring our surrendered spirits into His presence forever and always.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer Thanking God for His Love and Perfect Timing

Father, Your love is so great my heart is humbled and overwhelmed. You made a plan to redeem us long before you created us. You knew we would sin and yet, You created us anyway. You chose us to love us before creation itself. (Ephesians 1:4–5) And You accomplish all Your plans and purposes in Your perfect timing.

There is so much in this life that I don’t understand but it gives me peace to know that You do . . . to know that everything You do comes from Your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Your Word from beginning to end points to Jesus who said that He came to testify to the truth . . . truth that illustrates Your love. He told His followers that there is no greater love than to give your life for your friends and then He gave His life for us—for me.

As we reflect on Jesus’ suffering and death, I am overwhelmed with humility and love. I am so very sorry that my sins are among those that precipitated Your Son’s sacrifice. I am so grateful for Your willingness to make a way for me to be forgiven and free.

So, I kneel before the cross in prayer and praise. You have declared me innocent and through Jesus, my sins have been forgiven. I am free. And I can rest in Your presence forever and always. I come to You praying in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Friends, Sunday is on the way!

Jesus is risen!

And through Him, we have LIFE that lasts forever.

So we can forever say with David…

Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    who lives from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and amen!

Psalm 41:13

May your celebration of Jesus be blessed abundantly this Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday, and every day now and forever.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!