Scriptures so clearly reveal that our heavenly Father has predetermined the exact timing in His providence for all events in this life. The plan of salvation through the atonement of Christ was decreed before the world began as is evident from TIT 1:2, "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."

Yet the time was decreed to the very hour. This timing is what Jesus referred to when He told His disciples, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified," JOH 12:23.

It was in the way of the cross that our Saviour was glorified. Therefore, we need not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord when we are made partakers of the afflictions of the Gospel of Christ. "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2TI 1:8-9.

No human mind can even begin to fathom the eternal love of the Father for His chosen children of grace. That hour of perfect obedience by His only begotten Son unto death, even the death of the cross (PHI 2:8) was ever before the Father from eternity. The names of His chosen people were "…written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world," REV 18:8.

This hour spoken of by our Saviour as the hour predestined for Him to be glorified, was ever before the Father in the way of the sacrifices, burnt offerings, and the covenant of circumcision for four thousand years. And yet we read in 2PE 3:8, "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."

There was no man, nor Satan, nor all the forces of hell that could have any power against the Lord Jesus until the Father’s appointed hour. See this principle confirmed in JOH 7:30 "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come."

However, when the Father’s predetermined "hour" was come for His Son’s atonement, all the powers of hell were turned loose against Him.

See what our Saviour told His enemies with regard to this in LUK 22:53, "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off."

As we are adopted into the family of God in Christ, we learn to understand that we will fellowship in His sufferings--as well as in His glory. Every calamity or affliction we suffer in this life is ordained of the Lord. God’s Word says, "That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto," 1TH 3:3.

The Lord has ordained that the way to heaven is to follow our Saviour’s footprints in the way of the cross. That way leads through a waste-howling wilderness, but it was designed for our good.

The Lord tells us why in DEU 8:2-3 "And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no."

For our good the Lord predestines the circumstances and the timing of every trial. He not only chooses every trial, but also what we may often call accidents are the very instruments He has chosen to use.

Our Lord Jesus said "…fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered," MAT 10:28-30.

Our loving heavenly Father not only governs the smallest things in our lives, but He has His times and seasons for every thing in providence. He is never one second early or late. Amen.

Eternal father, strong to save,
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave,
Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Saviour, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep
And calm amid its rage didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Sacred Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
Who badds’t its angry tumult cease,
And gavest light and life and peace:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and pow’r,
Our brethren shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where-so-e’er they go;
And ever let there rise to thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.