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When The Answer Is Delayed!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Isaiah 55:8

Children rank the words 'not yet' as some of the most awful in the English language. There is an impatient child in each of us that wants God to grant every request immediately. When our all-wise, loving Heavenly Father says, 'Not yet,' what is our mature adult response? 'But God, You do not understand, I need it right now. Read my lips, I said now!' But God is neither impressed nor intimidated; He simply says, 'Kick and scream if you must, but you cannot have it yet. Trust me, I know what I am doing.'

Be wary of insisting that you know better than God! His delays usually are not His denials. Sometimes He delays in order to test our faith, other times so that we can alter our requests. As we come to understand the situation better, we may be glad to modify our prayer and make it more in line with His will. Sometimes God delays so that He can develop in us qualities like discipline, trust, compassion and submission. Most spiritual gains come only through struggle. If we had our way, how long would any of us put up with these character builders without asking God to remove them?

Often we are not able to see the reason for the delay. But that is not surprising. God says, 'Neither are your ways my ways.' Often we think God's saying 'No' only to discover that He is saying 'Not yet,' so that He can orchestrate an even greater result than we had the faith to believe for.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to be patient and trust you and your timing of things in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen