“Delayed obedience is disobedience,” the preacher said. I wonder where the idea for that sermon came from? While there are dozens of examples of this truth in the pages of the Bible and in the records of our own lives, Numbers 14 and Deuteronomy 1 may well provide the big idea itself. 

There are a couple of different kinds of time we need to give attention. Late this afternoon, at most people’s quitting time, I will arrive at a physical therapy appointment. This is chronological time. It’s the kind of time we talk about when looking at our calendars and watches.

Years ago, I participated in a life-planning process where something clicked and reoriented my life. It was an opportune moment. Everything had been leading up to that moment. Nothing has been quite the same since that moment. This is kairos time or qualitative time. The ancient Greeks thought of kairos as the moment when an archer (or Bowman) finds the perfect opening to shoot his arrow at his target.

God led Israel out of Egypt by his power and in his perfect timing. He led them to the doorstep of the Promised Land. Then, even though everyone involved in the story had seen what God did to the gods of Egypt, and even though everyone involved in the story had seen how God had provided for them in leading them to the precipice of his promise, the majority leadership said it was too hard and could not be done. 

They decided they could not go on. Then they were told the consequences of their decision. All of those men would die in the wilderness over the next forty years. Upon hearing this news, they decided maybe they should do what they had been told. The chronology was close. However, the kairos moment was gone. The door was closed. 

Even so, some of them pushed on to do what they had not done when they were told to do it. God warned them with the words in the verse above. If they pushed on, they would not have his guidance, his presence, or his provision. 

They attempted to create a kairos moment on their own. Verses 43-45 tell us what happened: 

“This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the Lord’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight. But the Amorites who lived there came out against you like a swarm of bees. They chased and battered you all the way from Seir to Hormah. So you stayed there at Kadesh for a long time.”

It is wise never to confuse chronological time with opportune moments. When God says, “It is time,” it is time. Move it!

Here’s a big question for the beginning of this workweek: What time is it? What opportune moment or moments lie ahead of you today and this week? Will you keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26)? Or will you miss God’s guidance, power, and provision?

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I will keep in step with God and walk into the opportune moments he has prepared.

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Our Father, I want to be on time with you always. I have not always been on time with you. I have missed so many moments you have prepared for me. I have been afraid. I have been distracted. I have chosen my own way. Thank you for giving use the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. Amen.