Soon

"Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed." - Proverbs 12:19 (NLT)

My friend Ralph posted that verse yesterday and what caught my eye most about it was the word "soon." When we think of the word "soon," we tend to take it to mean "close" or "imminent." And when we're waiting for the fruition of a promise such as written in Proverbs 12:19, we want it to happen right away.

It is then no surprise that we become discouraged when time passes and what we believed to be "soon" comes and goes. We begin to doubt the truth of the promise and question whether it will ever come true. Yes, I have waited desperately for the fulfillment of the promise of Proverbs 12:19 in this last year and have experienced moments of deep doubt when I grew frustrated in not seeing its arrival.

Well, I've got bad news and good news. Bad news first: "Soon" doesn't always mean as close or imminent as we may take it to mean in our modern vernacular. The word "soon" appears many times in the Bible; here are three of the most well-known instances:

"As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away." - Psalm 90:10

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place;" - Revelation 1:1

"'Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.'" - Revelation 22:7 (NIV)

The first instance is a prayer of Moses recorded in Psalms; the second is John's introduction to the book of Revelation; and the last is Jesus Himself recorded speaking in Revelation.

Moses used the word "soon" to describe the span of a lifetime: 70 to 80 years.

John used the word "soon" to describe events which have not yet taken place nearly 2000 years after his death.

Jesus used the word "soon" to describe his return, which may well take place long after our generation has come and gone from this earth.

Note what all of them have in common: not one uses the word "soon" to mean "in a few minutes, hours, or days." In fact, none of them even meant it to mean "a few years."

Sometimes "soon" is measured out not in weeks, not in months, but years, or decades, or a lifetime, or even generations. Remember: God is outside of time; He sees the end from the beginning; to Him a thousand years are like a day and a day is like a thousand years. His concept of time and ours are very different things. If you are waiting on a promise, this is likely not encouraging news (hey, I told you this was the bad news).

Now, here's the good news: God always honors his promises. Every one. Be encouraged that though we may grow weary in waiting, He is faithful to strengthen us until the moment of the arrival of those promises.

It will happen. We will see these promises fulfilled. It will be glorious when it happens and it will be worth every moment of waiting.