"Held Back"

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 

I was talking with a little boy the other day and asked him if he was in the second grade. He told me, "No. I am in the first, I got held back". I told him that was all right. It was for his good to help him. We all need to be "held back" sometimes-- spiritually speaking. 

 

There are times when we are "held back" because of our disobedience and sin. The Israelites were held back from entering into the Promised Land for forty years because of their unbelief. But then there are times when God-- not the devil, or self-- will "hold us back". Usually, we think of it as a "bad" thing, but when God holds you back it is a "good" thing. It is for your good and for His glory. 

 

Joseph was held back from entering into his destiny until he could get trained for the position. He was also held back until he could get to the place in his heart where he would not abuse, or use for personal revenge, his position of authority. There is so much we need to learn before we are ready to go forward. There are areas that we have to grow in before we are ready to go to the next level. 

 

God also holds us back because of divine timing. He held back the birth of Isaac until the timing was right-- until Sarah's womb was completely dead and they could not produce the promise on their own. Even our beloved Jesus was "held back" in the mission He came to earth to fulfill until the appointed time. "My time is not yet come." God held Him back from the cross until everything had been fulfilled that was spoken by the prophets, and until all things were prepared and in order. 

 

Do you feel like you are being "held back"? Ask God if it is because of some sin or disobedience in your life. Ask Him if there is something you need to do that you aren't doing. If it is neither, then just trust Him, be led by Him and wait on Him to move you "up" when it is in His plan and timing. 

 

Have a great day. There are times when God "holds us back". In those times trust Him-- it is for your good and for His glory.

 

For further reading:

John 7:6,8

Galatians 4:4

Job 32:18