God's Delays Are Not Denials

For all Christians seeking to please the Lord and walk in His counsel, one of the most difficult lessons God will impress on them is that of waiting on Him – for answered prayer or waiting for His purposes to unfold. It is crucial to know what the Bible says about waiting, even though in this world of speed and instant coffee, waiting doesn’t come naturally to anyone.

God may send tribulation, since the Word makes clear that “tribulation worketh patience.” (Romans 5:3) Another version says “suffering produces endurance.”

Scripture teaches about those who had special waiting periods as God trained them for a specific service for Him. Joseph was kept waiting, thinking all was hopeless, before God led him out of the prison to become second in command over Egypt. Moses was 40 years in the desert, learning his nothingness and humility, before God tapped him on the shoulder to lead His people out of slavery and misery. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, wrote many psalms about waiting on the Lord.

God is not on our timetable and it is important to cling to the fact that delays are not denials when prayer is not answered WHEN or HOW we think it should be. We must learn to trust the Lord (Psalm 62:8a) for the “testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:3, 4) God is building character into His people and conforming us to the image of His Son. We need to grow in having all the fruits of the Spirit in control; fruit ripens slowly. It’s been said that when God wants to make an oak, He takes a hundred years; but when He makes a squash, He takes six months. 

Whether learning obedience about a specific matter, or waiting for a long-prayed-for answer, we must take note from Scripture that going ahead of the Lord or trying to manipulate our own answers, only brings negative results, sometimes disastrous ones. 

Abraham is the classic example of someone who tried answering God’s promise of a son by his own scheme, but the birth of Ishmael wasn’t God’s plan, which meant another 14 years of waiting for Abraham and Sarah. Isaac was born as God promised, but only on His timetable.

King Saul, too, “did foolishly” when he rushed ahead and offered the sacrifice, not waiting for Samuel as he was told. (1 Samuel 13:8-14)

Be encouraged – God will answer according to His will and His timing. “No eye has seen, O God, beside Thee who works for those who wait for Him.” (Isaiah 64:4) Jesus delayed when called to the bedside of Lazarus, and the sisters wondered why Jesus hadn’t come before Lazarus died; but the answer He had for them was all the more magnificent, bringing great glory to God, because of the very delay.  “Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

WAIT ON THE LORD

In the life of faith, there is one great truth,

We never learn it during our youth.

That’s to be patient and to learn to wait,

We think: “Now’s the hour, tomorrow’s too late.”

 

But, sprinkled throughout the Word like stars,

Are words about waiting to avoid having scars.

Abraham failed to wait long enough,

Ishmael was born, making things rather tough.

 

Many a saint down through the years,

Has learned to wait while there were tears.

When God tests your faith, His purpose is wise,

He makes no mistakes, but hears all your sighs. 

 

So, learn to wait, my friend, on the Lord.

To get out of His will, you cannot afford.

God’s timing is best, He’s never too late,

Your emotions may panic, still…wait…wait…wait!