August 22

God's Delays Are Not Denials

Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He rises to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. Blessed are all who wait for Him. — Isa 30:18 BSB

There are many examples of this Divine method throughout Scripture. At the Jabbok ford, the Angel waited until Jacob was utterly exhausted from wrestling. Only when Jacob could fight no longer and clung to the Angel for support did He whisper His mysterious name and bless him.

Our Lord waited until the Syrophoenician woman fell helpless at His feet with the cry, “Lord, help me!” before granting the healing she desired for her daughter. In the same way, from His throne in Heaven, He waited until the apostles and other disciples in the upper room reached a point of complete helplessness before giving them the power of Pentecost. He waited until the disciples had exhausted every other option before releasing Peter from prison. He waited until Paul had renounced all his own strength so that He could say, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Too often, we misunderstand God’s ways. When He delays, as He did in coming to Lazarus even when we plead for His help, we think He is neglectful. But in reality, He is waiting, sometimes at great personal cost, until we come to the end of ourselves, clearing the way for Him to work a greater miracle than we had hoped for.

God’s delays are not denials. They are not signs of neglect or indifference. He waits with a watchful and loving eye for the precise moment to act, giving a blessing so pure, so abundant, and so divine that all eternity will not be enough to express our gratitude.

Prayer

We ask from the riches of Your grace for a more childlike trust, a more faithful spirit, and a more loyal will. May our obedience unlock all spiritual understanding. Amen.