Why Do We Experience Delays?

Are you waiting for something to come to pass? Is it taking longer than you wanted it to? Why do Christians sometimes experience delays or hindrances in getting what they desire?

First of all, and this is pretty basic, but we sometimes do overlook it- have we asked God for it? James 4:2 says, “ye have not, because ye ask not.” We need to ask in order to receive (Matthew 7:7-8).

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Isaiah 1:15 (KJV)

Next, is there sin in our lives? The Psalmist said, “ If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18).” The Bible also says that no good thing will God withold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).

That leads to this point. Is what we want good for us? If it is good, God will give it, but if it is bad then you really don’t need it anyway (James 1:17). An example might be a relationship that would turn out to be destructive. God may be sparing us from future heartaches and trouble.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. I John 5:14-15 (KJV)

Another point to consider: is what we want in line with God’s will? We must want God and His will over our own will. Jesus even prayed to the Father, “Not my will, but thy will be done.” (Matthew 26:39, 42). We must pray according to God’s will, which is God’s written Word. If we pray God’s will, then we can be assured it will come to psaa for us.

Next, are we praying amiss? James 4:3 says, “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” The New International Version says, “you ask with wrong motives.” If we pray for something with wrong motives or wrong intent, we may not get it- even if it is something that would be considered good.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 (KJV)

An additional reason that we may still be waiting on something is simply that it isn’t the proper time for it. We may have been asking “out of season” for something. Many things have an appointed time in God’s plan and if we have to wait, it may be because the set time has not yet come. God sees the big picture and we only see our immediate desires. But, if we wait until we get it, we will find that it is all the sweeter for the waiting.

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Galatians 4:1-2 (KJV)

God uses the waiting time to mature us to be able to handle what He is giving us. Many times, if we were to get something when we asked for it, we would be too immature and foolish to handle it right and it could do harm to us and others.

By faith and patience we inherit the promises (Hebrews 6:12). Delays may be due to the fact that our faith has not grown sufficiently yet to produce what we want. Faith must be grown through use, and it must be combined with patience in order to receive what God has promised.

And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. I Corinthians 10:10-11 (New Living Translation, NLT)

Maybe the hindrance or delay is due to the words of our own mouths. If we complain or say things contrary to the Word and contrary to what we want, it can cancel out what we ware believing for. On the other hand, praising God for the blessing in advance brings breakthrough (Psalm 67:5-6).

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. Isaiah 1:19 (KJV)

We may want something, but if we don’t do our part, it may not come to pass. We need to be obedient to do whatever God has instructed us to do, amd we need to do it with a willing heart. We need to put diligent effort behind what we desire. When we work with God, He works with us.

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. Daniel 10:12-14 (KJV)

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the hindrances of the devil. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10), and he hates it when we propser in any way. Just like he did to the prophet Daniel, he will send his forces to hinder and delay answers to our prayers. But, when we fight the good fight, using our spiritual weapons and our authority in Christ, we will get what we desire (Ephesians 6:11-18).

Now that we have identified some sources of delay in getting what we desire of God, we can move forward with confidence, knowing that God keeps His promises. We can be assured that our God is faithful and true and there is always a reason for delays. If there is a problem- it is not with God.