1. TIMES AND SEASONS THOUSANDS OF YEARS TIME DILATION AND THE MESSAGE OF HABAKKUK

2. One Day = 1,000 Years! II Peter 3:8–9 with the Lord 1 day as 1,000 yrs Ps 90:4 1,000 years like a watch in the night What is the meaning? Read the context! Contrast man’s frailty & God’s eternal greatness What about Eze 4:6 – “I have assigned one day for each year.”?

3. Nothing to do with Genesis! “Day” in Genesis 1 defined by context Day in Hebrew = yôm יום Compare reason given in Ex 20:8-11 If yôm used with number or time of day, always = 24 hour day

4. Use of “Day” outside Genesis 1 “Day” with Number : 410 times “Evening” & “Morning” without “Day” : 38 times “Evening” or “Morning” with “Day” : 23 times “Night” with “Day” 52 times

5. Time Dilation ~ how long is 1,000 years?

6. The Message of Habakkuk From Fear to Faith Problem of unanswered prayer What was God’s response? (1:5 & 2:3) God’s answers not always when or how we want How did Paul interpret this? (Acts 13:41)

7. Consider Joseph

8. Famous Delays in Answered Prayer Abraham: Gen 12:1-4 – promise made – Abraham 75; Gen 15:1-6 – the promise confirmed; Gen 16:3 & 16 – 10 years later getting impatient? (86) Gen 17:1 –13 more years - still no son of promise: (99) Gen 17:17-19 –promise reiterated, son named. Gen 21:5 – promise fulfilled - Abraham 100 & Sarah 90 i.e. 25 years after the promise was given! David – anointed king in I Sam 16; cf. II Sam 5:4

9. Why so many delays? God has other purposes to fulfil Gen 15:16 “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” Dan 10:12-14 “the prince of the kingdom of Persia …” Character development …

10. A Paradox Lk 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge How quick is quickly? Note last sentence of v.8 Is the focus really on return of Jesus? Cf. Psalms: 15 times “how long?” If God delays answers, He has a good reason

11. God never is before His time … Say not, my soul, “From whence Can God relieve my care?” Remember that Omnipotence Has servants everywhere. His help is always sure, His methods seldom guessed; Delay will make our pleasure pure; Surprise will give it zest. His wisdom is sublime, His heart profoundly kind; God never is before His time, And never is behind. Have you assumed a load Which none will bear with thee? And are you bearing it for God, And shall He fail to see? - J. J. Lynch