On-Time Buck
- ryankain
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
A Tough Deer Season for an 11-Year-Old Hunter
Early archery season came and went. Rifle season went by way too fast. Time marches on. It came to the point that muzzleloader season was upon us – and yet Russell was still holding a buck tag. After passing hunter’s education this spring – my now 11-year-old son, was fired up about the prospects of his junior season. His third year out, however, was shaping up into a tough one.
An early snowfall doesn’t help one of our spots – it had been a cold and snowy deer season.
Corn still on one of the fields made yet another spot difficult.
Getting on a good buck – when both of us had time to be in the woods – was turning out to be a tall task this season.
As I flipped through the Drury Deercast and my Google Calendar – it looked like our schedules, and the weather were about to align. The only problem was – it was on a Thursday.
A Thursday in God’s timing however – well that’s a Thursday you should move on.
And luckily for Russell – his dad is really cool….and thankfully – He does a great job in school. Due to his good work in the classroom - an early dismissal from the 5th grade during peak weather isn’t a monumental decision for a whitetail crazed father.
After some “reel” fun - we got settled into the stand and it was just one of those nights that flew by. We saw some deer – a few does here and there – but at this point in the year we were gunna be patient and wait on a buck – even if that meant that we had to eat “tag soup.”
“You can’t eat them horns” the critics may say.
I’ve never ate an antler in my life. This is true.
However - with a couple deer already in the freezer – we were determined to wait on something to decorate the wall with.
A Lesson from Jacob in Genesis
If you open the Bible to the book of Exodus, you will read about a group of people called the Israelites. They got their name from a man named Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel. God used this family – and the nation of Egypt to build His people – the Israelites into a great nation.
Jacob was on his way to Egypt due to a famine in the land. He was travelling there with 11 of his sons, to meet another of his sons – Joseph – whom Jacob had believed was dead for some time.
At the hand of God’s providential guidance, Joseph had risen to second in command in all of Egypt – second to only the Pharoah. God provided Joseph with wisdom and the interpretation of several dreams. Through this series of events, God had provided Egypt with knowledge of the future famine, and they were able to store food and make it through the disaster. Jacob and his sons were on their way to Egypt to live with Joseph, and on the way there Jacob had an encounter with the Living God.
“During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called. “Here I am,” Jacob replied. “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again. You will die in Egypt, but Joseph will be with you to close your eyes.” Genesis 46:2-4 NLT
God made this incredible promise to Jacob – that he was going to make his family into a great nation. It was the same promise that God had made to Jacob’s grandfather – Abraham.
Sometimes the timing of God’s promises, doesn’t always feel great.
Can you trust that God is always On-Time?
God’s promise to Jacob - it came during a long voyage – in the middle of a famine.
When God speaks – you can count on His Word to come true.
God might not say “when” – but that doesn’t make his promises untrue.
There may be times in the middle – in the waiting. His Word is faithful.
God is always working – and He is always On-Time.
We can count on God.
A few chapters – and about 400 years later – we read this account:
“But their descendants, the Israelites, had many children and grandchildren. In fact, they multiplied so greatly that they became extremely powerful and filled the land.” Exodus 1:7 NLT
400 years later – and God is right On-Time.
The word he spoke to Jacob had come true – and God is right On-Time.
The time had come for Israelites to become their own nation – and through a series of miracles, fulfilled promises, and God’s perfect timing, the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt was getting ready to happen. God’s provision is always On-Time.
The Thursday Hunt That Changed Everything
We were set-up to the North, watching about 8 does and a decent looking buck in the distance. Hoping that he’d wander over our way to make our season a success. The sun, however, wasn’t looking like it was going to cooperate. As it kept sinking low on this Thursday night – the anticipation of Russ smiling into the camera holding some antlers felt like it was falling into the horizon as well.
In a really – loud whisper….
“Buck, buck, buck”
“Big buck”
In an instant – our waning demeanors – turned to joy and pure panic.
The issue we had was – buck we were discussing was behind us to the South.
We smacked the walls – bumped the windows – we did the deer blind shuffle.
I checked the clock – we’re good.
Camera. Check.
Gun. Ready.
“Are you on him?” I asked.
“Yeah,” Russell responded.
My tense instructions followed, “Cock the hammer.”
“Put it on his shoulder.”
Ka-Boom. The shot rang out. The black powder cloud filled our nostrils and our line of sight.
As the beautiful animal piled where he stood, pure elation and relief overtook us.
Patience. The time spent in a blind. The prayers prayed. All were culminated in those few moments.
Moments that point to an On-Time God.
An On-Time Buck and an On-Time God
The thought came to me on the drive home – He is and On-Time God.
I was quick to doubt.
I specifically remember the feelings of despair – I looking at the time, glancing through the field – and muttering to myself – well I guess it won’t happen tonight…
I had really given up hope for the evening with a handful of minutes left.
I had forgotten who God was.
Jehovah Jireh – The God who Provides.
While he hadn’t promised us a deer that night specifically – he does promise us that he will supply everything we need.
We are called to trust. We hope. We believe in all he’s done before.
And the God of Jacob?
He provides, he builds, he is faithful – and He is always On-Time.