Day 25
A Delay to Prayer is not Always, NO!
Waiting is a condition most of us want to avoid. Your doctor’s appointment is at 10:00 and you are called at 10:30 just to wait in a closet-sized examination room for another 30 minutes. When you are in a hurry, the draw bridge is up. If you are going to the motor vehicle office, bring a chair. However, one of the most frustrating ‘waits’ is when you phone a business and the person answering the phone says, “I am with another customer, do you mind waiting?” Then they cut you off before you can respond, “Yes, I mind waiting!”
Waiting for an answer to prayer is another issue. When we pray, we want instant results. God does not always respond to our timing. The Prophet Samuel told King Saul to wait seven days for God’s answer to prayer. He did not and suffered the consequences.
Noah waited 100 years for the rain to begin. Imagine his joy when the first drops began to fall! Abraham was promised a son, but he had to wait ten years before God miraculously provided him with a son. Imagine his joy when he heard the cry of his newborn son! Joseph waited over 13 years to have the fulfillment of his dreams. Imagine his joy when he realized his pain brought physical salvation to his family. David was anointed king of Israel, but he had to wait 15 years before he was crowned king. During the wait, David was hunted and persecuted. Imagine his joy when the crown was placed on his head! The Biblical list is lengthy for those who had to wait for the promise of God to come to pass.
Habakkuk 1:2-4 (CSB) How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence, and you do not save? 3Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. 4This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.
The prophet Habakkuk struggled with some of the same issues we struggle with. It seemed that God was delaying His response to Habakkuk’s distress. Calamities were abounding and God appeared to be silent and removed. However, God was neither silent nor removed. God was working in a powerful way behind the scenes.
Habakkuk 2:1-3 (CSB) I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint. The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. 3For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.
God promised to answer. God did not say the answer would be immediate. God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect, but not often synchronized with ours.
The flood came and Noah’s family was preserved. Abraham did have a son in perfect timing with God’s will. Joseph was promoted from the prison to the palace. David was crowned king of Israel in perfect timing with God’s will. All in God’s perfect timing. God was working all things out, behind the scenes.
Delay does not necessarily mean no. When we pray according to God’s will and desire God’s will for our lives, we have complete confidence God will answer our prayer.
Romans 8:28 (CSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Imagine your joy when your prayer is answered! Pray!
Waiting is a condition most of us want to avoid. Your doctor’s appointment is at 10:00 and you are called at 10:30 just to wait in a closet-sized examination room for another 30 minutes. When you are in a hurry, the draw bridge is up. If you are going to the motor vehicle office, bring a chair. However, one of the most frustrating ‘waits’ is when you phone a business and the person answering the phone says, “I am with another customer, do you mind waiting?” Then they cut you off before you can respond, “Yes, I mind waiting!”
Waiting for an answer to prayer is another issue. When we pray, we want instant results. God does not always respond to our timing. The Prophet Samuel told King Saul to wait seven days for God’s answer to prayer. He did not and suffered the consequences.
Noah waited 100 years for the rain to begin. Imagine his joy when the first drops began to fall! Abraham was promised a son, but he had to wait ten years before God miraculously provided him with a son. Imagine his joy when he heard the cry of his newborn son! Joseph waited over 13 years to have the fulfillment of his dreams. Imagine his joy when he realized his pain brought physical salvation to his family. David was anointed king of Israel, but he had to wait 15 years before he was crowned king. During the wait, David was hunted and persecuted. Imagine his joy when the crown was placed on his head! The Biblical list is lengthy for those who had to wait for the promise of God to come to pass.
Habakkuk 1:2-4 (CSB) How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence, and you do not save? 3Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. 4This is why the law is ineffective and justice never emerges. For the wicked restrict the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.
The prophet Habakkuk struggled with some of the same issues we struggle with. It seemed that God was delaying His response to Habakkuk’s distress. Calamities were abounding and God appeared to be silent and removed. However, God was neither silent nor removed. God was working in a powerful way behind the scenes.
Habakkuk 2:1-3 (CSB) I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint. The Lord answered me: Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it. 3For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.
God promised to answer. God did not say the answer would be immediate. God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect, but not often synchronized with ours.
The flood came and Noah’s family was preserved. Abraham did have a son in perfect timing with God’s will. Joseph was promoted from the prison to the palace. David was crowned king of Israel in perfect timing with God’s will. All in God’s perfect timing. God was working all things out, behind the scenes.
Delay does not necessarily mean no. When we pray according to God’s will and desire God’s will for our lives, we have complete confidence God will answer our prayer.
Romans 8:28 (CSB) We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Imagine your joy when your prayer is answered! Pray!
Posted in 40 Days - 2022