You May Be in a Hurry, but God Isn’t By Rick Warren
“God . . . does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NCV)
In many cultures today, fast is better. But that’s not the way God works.
The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “God . . . does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing” (NCV).
God has a plan for your life. He also has a timetable for that plan. Yet God never explains his timetable. He doesn’t have to—he’s God. And you can trust that he has your best interest at heart.
One of the most painful things in life is when you’re in a hurry and God’s not. That usually leads to impatience.
Impatience, basically, is a lack of trust. When you’re impatient, you’re saying, “God, I don’t really trust you and your timing. I don’t think you have my best interest at heart.”
You get worried and hurried. Then you start scurrying because you don’t trust God to act at the right time and in the right way.
As children grow up, part of maturing is learning the difference between “no” and “not yet.” A delay is not a denial.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have to learn the same thing with God. His delays are not denials. God knows the right time and the right way. He has a plan and a timetable. And his timing is perfect.
When Saddleback Church grew for 15 years without a building, God used this verse to encourage me for all those years: “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed” (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT).
Has God given you a vision that hasn’t happened yet? You can trust that it’s coming—on God’s timetable.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Thank you for saying “yes” to God’s mission in 2026!
We’re so grateful for your gift of support to help bring the hope of Jesus to more lives around the world this year!
As thanks for your partnership, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s What On Earth Am I Here For? Bible study guide with video access to help you step into God’s purposes for your life in 2026.
Request yours below when you give—and thank you for helping reach more people for Jesus this year!
*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
