It was a Sunday morning. The usual buzz of activity was at a high pitch with five of us kids playing, fighting, etc. and then, smoke from the kitchen! Then a shout – “The toaster is on fire!” – quick action from my father put the fire out – almost at the same time the doorbell rang. “Somebody get the door!”.
We were living in Angwin, California, where my Dad had gone back to school at Pacific Union College. Because no mail was delivered on Sabbath, Sunday package delivery was common. So with smoke still lingering in the air, and the charred toaster sadly sitting lifeless on the counter, we swarmed like bees around the package.
“Who is it from?..Gramma.”
“What could it be, let’s open it right now.”
Packing materials flew as we tore open the package, only to find… a brand new toaster!
My father reminded us of how God looks after His children. I remember feeling a sense of awe. How could it have been a coincidence? How else could you explain a toaster arriving just in time – literally moments after our old toaster had burned up? Did God really care about us enough to provide a toaster? I remember thinking about how Gramma would have had to have sent that days before to arrive from back east. And what made her choose a toaster for a gift?
It seems sometimes that God chooses to work at the last minute – “just in time” – to help us recognize His hand, providing just what we need – just when we need it.
The Bible validates the “just in time” God as well. Exodus 14 tells the story of the children of Israel in trouble. It was a terrible pinch. Apparently no way out. The Red Sea before them and the Egyptians closing in quickly behind them. Who wouldn’t have complained?
“Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” Exodus 14:11-12
But Moses spoke courage and faith to the people…
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14
You know the rest of the story. God gave the instructions – “Go forward”. The Red Sea opened – just in time, and the children of Israel made their escape. But that wasn’t all, the Red Sea closed back in just in time as well, when Pharaoh’s armies were in the middle of that dried out path through the sea.
God is the master of timing. Even in sending His son, God did it…just in time!
“But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
And in the last days, He does it again. He sends a special message…just in time!
I believe we must realize that God has called us to be His “Just in Time” messengers with a “Just in Time” message. That’s the very special calling of Seventh-day Adventists. We arrive with a unique message at just the right time.
The Bible describes our special mission to bring light at the darkest time in earth’s history…
“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory…” Revelation 18:1
“It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth”
“This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, ‘O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.’ Isa. 40:9,10” Christ Object Lessons, p. 415
Could it be that you and I are here “just in time”?
Could it be that we have just what a dark world needs right now?
I believe the answer to both of those questions is, “Yes”!
In fact, that’s why I recently preached a sermon entitled, “Stars In The Night”. (Link coming soon…)
May God help us to embrace and share His most timely message with a world desperately in need of it.
Talk again soon…
Dave Westbrook