Why does HE delay?...

Life is filled with a lot of unanswered questions.  I’m sure that you have asked some of these questions.

• If nothing sticks to Teflon, how do they make Teflon stick to the pan?
• Why do they put flotation devices under airplane seats instead of parachutes?
• Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?
• When we’re in a car and looking for an address we can’t find, why do we turn down the volume on the radio?
• If Denny’s is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, why do they have locks on the doors?
• Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii?
• Why do they put Braille dots on ATM machines?

                                      

But the most perplexing question of all I want to ask GOD is, why does HE wait to answer my prayer?  If HE hears it immediately and has the power to do it, why does HE delay? 

The classic story of waiting is of the children of Israel who were brought out of Egypt and then wandered around for forty years before they went into the Promised Land.  It’s only about two weeks walk between Egypt and Israel.  It took them 40 years.  What in the world were they doing? Exodus 13.17 (NIV), “When Pharaoh let the people go, GOD did not lead them (directly), though that way was shorter.  For GOD said, ‘if they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’” 

They were Delayed by Design.  GOD had them wander around for 40 years.  Why? 

1.  GOD uses delays to prepare us.  The Israelites weren’t prepared for war, and GOD was afraid if they went to war they wouldn’t be able to handle it.  Every dream has difficulties.  GOD uses delays to get us ready for those difficulties.  The delay here was designed by GOD.  GOD uses delays in your life to prepare us for difficulties that are ahead.

2.  GOD uses delays to test us.  Deuteronomy 8.2 (TLB), “GOD led you through the wilderness for forty years... testing you to find out how you would respond and if you would obey HIM.”

 

How do you respond to delays?  GOD says it’s a test of faith.  Your test of maturity is how well you handle the waiting rooms of life when things don’t come immediately.  How do you respond?

Just a thought from the front porch…