Delays Are Not Denials
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:1-6 (KJV)
David asked God, “How long?” We all face things and ask Him, “How long will this go on?” When we pray or stand on God’s promises and it seems like no change is happening, we must trust God. Like David, we must let our hearts rejoice in our salvation. Sing to God, for He is good and will do good for us.
God’s delay does not mean that He’s forgotten or forsaken us, but that He is working out His plan. Through it, He is maturing us to know who He is and that He is faithful. He is with us, and for us, and is working, even when it appears He’s not.
In John 11, Jesus was told that His friend, Lazarus, was sick. However, He stayed where He was for two more days. Jesus loved Martha, her sister Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:15), yet He did not go immediately. God loves us, even when we think He’s moving slowly in our lives. Jesus then moved after He had stayed two days. When He eventually arrived, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days.
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby…. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:4, 40 (KJV)
God was helping them to develop their belief system to trust God no matter what. Even when things look like they are dead, Jesus is saying that He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25-26). This shows us that He has authority over life and death, and nothing can stop Him from working for us when we believe Him.
No matter the situation, or how long we’ve been waiting on God, He will come through and bring us through- as we trust Him. He hears our cries, knows our hearts, and our hurts. We must wait for God to move. Our part is to believe, especially when we can do nothing about our situation. God’s part is to work. God answered David. And God answered Martha and Mary and raised their brother from the dead. In the same way, He will answer us and show us that God’s delays are not God’s denials. Instead, they are opportunities for Him to show Himself strong on behalf of those who love Him.
Don’t give up in the waiting time. Use it to grow closer to God, to know Him, trust Him, and experience His promise, presence, and power. Keep praising the Lord until you see His salvation. Delays are not denials but opportunities to grow while reaching your destiny.
