Ever get a past due notice? You know, the note that says you missed the due date for your most recent payment. Whether it’s rent, a utility bill or loan payment, someone is expecting payment. Do you ever feel that way with God — like you want to give Him a past due notice?
You expect payment from him for the good things you do for Him. You expect it by a certain time or you start to think it’s past due. Maybe you even pray a past due notice: “I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me; I stand up, and You turn Your attention against me (Job 30:20, NASB).” Despite your prayers, your pleas to God, it seems your past due notices are ignored.
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he reminds them, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Galatians 6:9).” In God’s time, His perfect timing, Paul tells the Galatians: “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” In the proper time, fruit will be born by your labor in the Spirit of God. Be encouraged and patient. “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith (Galatians 6:10).”
© 2021 CGThelen
140 Character Christian 
I don’t think I have ever thought about giving the Lord a “past due” notice. I am acutely aware that He owes me NOTHING. I have, however, asked Him for something for the ten thousandth time in the past 30 years, and added, “You told us to be persistent, so You know I’m going to nag You until it happens.. “
I certainly get impatient with God at times, but have learned that His timing is perfect; His plan is better than what I want Him to do. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
This notice of yours got me to jump to attention! In my email this posting showed under the heading Word Press not 140 characters; so I immediately wondered what went wrong with my payment in full just recently and is Word Press about to shut my account off! When I clicked to open I was very relieved to find it was you with such an eye catching phrase, making a great point, along with beautiful accompanying Scriptures!
Just yesterday I wrote, “And as we are all fallen with our definite foibles or inherent weaknesses, or even character flaws; if any of us is to be made into a saint we can at least conclude that God not only works in mysterious ways, but, He can produce in a sense the most perfect pearls or say diamonds from the most common rocks on earth!” I really feel strongly I should share more of those words from yesterday here; “When the biggest insult came in the form of a hazardous materials cleaning procedure where I would not have any of the appropriate protections to do the job, I could have complained which would instantly have been seen as an act of insubordination and sent packing! Or, I could do as I did; which was to find as quickly as I could any protective barriers or equipment that I could rustle up and just do the job; which I did. But anything I found to protect me in the process was sorely inadequate and I became exposed and quite ill after several hours! This all led to a period of several years of being damaged and disabled and not able to do the job, but instead having to fight in the system for my survival and not end up homeless. I became my own attorney and “scientist” in concert with a great “real one” that God sent my way; which eventually resulted in my surviving although suffering, which apparently go hand in hand; at least in some cases. Don’t forget that processes are absolutely necessary in Transformation!”
We all know the phrase that “God won’t give you more than you can handle;” but sometimes some people do get so much adversity tossed upon them that they are literally swimming in a whirlpool of sorts, that is pulling them down into despair and failure! We should always remember this in those circumstances where we feel all is against us, and we are losing our lives by the acts and torments from others; directed upon us! This scripture may be where this quote comes from but there is more to it than that; “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” James 1:13
Isn’t it true that we in the end we would all come to the end of our road with our own personal “Past Due” notice on our foreheads in a sense, labeled Fail; to me meaning too little too late and so being rejected, or having the rug pulled out from under us would be in order; just like the bank will do if you get behind on the mortgage payments in full each month!
But, you did bring the point home as to God’s plan, not our own, with the ideas and Scriptures you present for our consideration; and this one says so much deeply in my soul.
1 Peter 5:6-7 tells us: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” In the proper time, fruit will be born by your labor in the Spirit of God. Be encouraged and patient. “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith (Galatians 6:10).” I do love this Scripture so much; and thank you for writing this article!
God bless you and yours. Amen.
Brother in Christ Jesus,
Lawrence
Thanks for sharing. You’ve added more to ponder on waiting on God. It is so hard in the middle of trauma to understand God’s will and His purpose. I admit I have given God a past due notice when suffering became too much to take. But He is steadfast. He never stops loving us. I am so grateful for His grace. Thanks again for the comment. Blessings.
You’re welcome; really more than glad to add something of value to your blog posting. You’re so right again in all you said just now in response! He knows best how each of us suffers in this sometimes tumultuous frightening and maddening world that we are so vulnerable in! I just thought how mom would say “this wasn’t meant to be a rose garden, so you have to be always mindful there are thorns all around the beautiful roses! But, you and she are saying the same about God’s plan; now we have to “accept it and make the best of it” like dad always said! Because after all; God knows what His planned end result to it all must and will be!
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Thanks again, and have a blessed day!