There is “an appointed time” for God to wait and also to act.
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3)
When God is “in” something and ready for it to take place, He “hastens” it forward.
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22)
God can make a timetable for when things will happen because He has the power to bring His will to pass.
I will work, and who shall let it? (Isaiah 43:13 KJV)
I will work, and who can reverse it? (Isaiah 43:13 JPS)
God can set definite timetables for when something will happen because He has the power to bring it about.
We cannot be certain if something we’re planning for will actually take place, let alone know when it will happen.
While the many things which we predetermine to do, often don’t get done, God can predict the future because He has the power to bring His plans to fulfillment.
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (Isaiah 46:9-10)
Only the Lord God Almighty has the power to work “all things after the counsel of his own will.”
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will (Ephesians 1:11)
God’s power enables Him to accomplish His pleasure.
Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee (Jeremiah 32:17)
When it was God’s appointed time for Joseph to be released from prison, nothing could stop it.
He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. (Psalm 105:17-20)
When God is ready to move He prospers our way.
And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house (Genesis 24:40)
When God wants something to take place, He is even able to bend the will of man towards His will.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)
When God is in something, He will bring it to pass no matter how great the opposition of men.
When God is not in something, He will thwart it no matter how great the cooperation of men.
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth (Revelation 3:7)
Even if all the inhabitants of the earth came out to resist God’s plans, they could not stop His hand from accomplishing His will.
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:35)
Our timetables fail because we are neither all wise or all mighty.
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)