I can’t tell you how many times I have emphasized the importance of God’s timing to someone. It has struck me over and over that God has good things for us at the right time. This is very evident in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. In this story the prodigal son said, “Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me” (Luke 15:12b).

Now, what he was asking for was something that would eventually be his. His father wanted to give it to him at the right time, but the prodigal son was impatient. So, out of sync with his father’s will he took it. Of course, this ill timed inheritance turned to unruly living which cost him everything.

Yet, the story gets even more interesting because the prodigal son’s older brother waited for his inheritance. He served his father until the day that his father would gladly give him his inheritance. But, while he waited for his inheritance, he got out of sorts with his father. He became eaten up with the fact that his brother got instant blessings even though he was way outside of their father’s will. And when his brother returned home, the father forgave him and threw a feast celebrating his return.

At this point the older brother had “had it.” He began to indict his father with accusations of not being good or fair. Listen to the tone of his voice coming across in his words, “Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf” (Luke 15:29–30).

Had the father changed? Was he not good? Quite the contrary—he was proving how good he was to have mercy on this runaway. It was the older brother who had changed. His perspective had changed from willingness to please his father and have his blessings to a “why don’t I get what I want” attitude. But his father let him know that his blessings were coming in time, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine” (Luke 15:31b).

Beware that while you wait on God you don’t doubt His goodness. Because, if you do, it will be you that changed, not Him. God is still good; God is still right—and that never changes!