DELAYS ON THE ROAD OF LIFE

Psalm 70

Pastor Rick Jackson

Jeff and I enjoy reading his brother’s comments on his FB page. The other day he wrote;
Apparently it's frowned upon to walk into a bank shouting "It's my money and I want it now!" Thanks a lot J.G. Wentworth!
It is true that we don‘t like delays isn‘t it? We want it now, or even better, yesterday. In Psalm 70 David expresses his desire that God NOT delay in answering his prayer. And yet, sometimes God does delay in answering our prayers, in sending us resources, in answering our questions… “Why?” being a big one. Why does God delay?

I. GOD IS WAITING UNTIL WE ARE SPIRITUALLY MATURE ENOUGH TO HANDLE IT

Gen. 28:13-15 God delayed 20 years before bringing Jacob back into his land.

“The right thing given at the wrong time can be a curse to us.”

II. GOD MAY TEST THE SINCERITY OF OUR DESIRE BY WITHHOLDING THE OBJECT

James 1:6-8, 4:3, 8

How bad do you want it? Why do you want it? How does it fit with God’s will for your life?

III. GOD USES DELAY TO STRENGHTEN THE QUALITY OF OUR CHARACTER

James 1:3-4 People pray for extra money but abuse their credit cards and then misuse the money when they get it. You know, God can give us more or He can teach us to live on less.

God used a 25 year delay in Abraham’s life to draw him into a closer communion with Himself.

Has God delayed in granting your request? Grant God the acceptance of knowing what to give us, when to give it, and in whatever fashion He deems best.