DIVINE DELAYS ON THE ROAD OF LIFE

Psalm 70                                                              

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

 

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

 

1. As Shown in the Life of Jacob [Gen. 28:10-15] God delayed 20 years before bringing him back into his land.

 

2. As Shown in the Life of David [2 Sam. 5:3-5] Anointed as a teen, became king at 30]

 

3. As Shown in the Life of Saul/Paul [Acts 9:15, 11:25-30, 12:25-13:3]

 

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability , determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark. Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said , Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

 

Someone has said, “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

 

1. Are you Double-Minded? [James 1:6-8] How bad do you want it?

 

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

2. Are You Rightly Minded? [James 4:3] George Mueller of Bristol prayed in millions through his hand but none stuck

 

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

 

3. Are You Purely Motivated [James 4:8] Why do you want it? How does it fit with God’s will for your life?

 

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

 

III. GOD USES DELAY TO STRENGHTEN THE QUALITY OF OUR CHARACTER [James 1:3-4]

 

 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing .

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.

 

1. Do Not Try to do God’s Part [Psalm 131:1]

 

LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

 

2. Do Try to Be Right Vertically & Horizontally [Acts 24:16]

 

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

 

3. Do Strive to be Spiritually Well-fed, Spiritually Discerning, and Spiritually Active [1 Timothy 4:6-8]

 

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little : but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

 

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.