Delays.

God answers every prayer—but often the answer is not yes or no but “wait.” I don’t think anyone likes that answer. Waiting can be SO HARD.

Yet, it seems to be a huge part of our training. How long was Moses’s destiny delayed? At 40, he was moved by the plight of the Israelites, acted rashly and killed an Egyptian, and had to run for his life. Forty years passed before God spoke to him at the burning bush. Forty years! That’s a LONG WAIT. 

A few years later, Moses sent men on a recon mission to spy out the Promised Land and report back. They said the land was amazing but the people were giants and would defeat God’s chosen people.  The nation chickened out, and God was angry. He told them they would spend 40 years wandering the wilderness while the cowardly generation died off. Numbers 14:34.

Can you imagine? What a delay! (Now Moses will have to wait ANOTHER forty years—and in fact, he will see, but never enter the Promised Land.) But God used the delays to grow Moses and all His people and teach them to trust Him.

Do you ever get tired of waiting on God? Do you tire of hoping for something big to happen, but it seems hopeless? I know I get tired of waiting. 

But waiting is often the exact spiritual workout that we need. Waiting on the Lord builds our FAITH. Waiting draws us closer to HIM—and knowing him better is more important than entering the Promised Land—or receiving any other promises from God.

Be patient. Seek God’s HEART, not the gifts in his hand. Ask for wisdom and patience. And take the huge step of THANKING him for the waiting times. God has a plan. Choose to trust him and be patient—after all, it probably won’t take 40 years!

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not become faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

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