“So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people.”  Deut. 20:2

Ever notice that the Lord never seems to show up too soon? That it is not until we are “on the verge” of moving forward in His will for us that He sends His enablement and provisions? The Israelites weren’t blessed with the priest’s presence and words until they were right on the brink of moving forward into God’s calling. Then, and only then, did the priest show up. And so it is with us.

God does not fed-ex His enabling grace ahead of time to take the struggle out of obedience. The waters of Jordan did not recede until the priests bearing the ark actually put their feet into the river (Josh. 3:13-17). The wall of Jericho showed no cracks on the first six days. It was only after they took the risk to walk around the wall the complete number of times decreed by God that “the wall fell down flat”. (Josh.6:20). God does show up in response to believing obedience. But rarely, if ever, as early on as we would like.

Corrie ten Boom tells a wonderful story of how her father helped her learn this lesson of God’s timing in providing for her. He reminded her that when she was a very little girl they often used to ride the bus together. Then he asked her, “When did I give you the bus token?” She responded, “Just as I was stepping onto the bus.” To which he responded, “And so it is with our heavenly Father. He will provide for our needs and He will strengthen. But usually not until we are stepping onto the bus…until we are moving forward into His calling on our lives.” And God provided that grace and strength for her throughout her years in the Nazi prison camps. And God will do the same for us. Just not ahead of time.