Divine Delay: He is Faithful

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

I am someone who wants things when I want them. I don’t like to wait, and I can be quite impatient; particularly while driving, at the grocery store, or in a conversation that interrupts my mission to the bathroom. It’s not a quality I’m proud of honestly. Therefore, I’ve prayed a courageous and dangerous prayer: God help me to be more patient.

Not only has God so kindly allowed things to happen that force me to practice patience, like heavy traffic, long wait times with customer service, or stop lights that take forever to change green, He’s also delayed several promises that I’ve been praying for. My mom’s health, restoration of relationship with my sister, financial freedom, marriage, kids.

All things that I have been expectant for, but worry I’ll never see. In the waiting room of life’s hopes and dreams, hopelessness is my company; and it’s in this place our hearts can become heavy with emptiness and void instead of fullness and hope.

I imagine this is how the Israelites felt in the wilderness. They, too, wondered where God was, and doubted if He heard their prayers. They, too, wavered believing in God's faithfulness.

“Our fathers in Egypt did not understand nor appreciate Your miracles; They did not remember the abundance of Your mercies nor imprint Your loving kindnesses on their hearts, But they were rebellious at the sea, at the [a]Red Sea. Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, That He might make His [supreme] power known.” Psalm 106:7-8 (AMP)

What the Israelites failed to do is exactly what I have been failing to do: remember what God has already done. 2 Timothy 2:13 in the Amplified version says, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.” So even when we don’t remain faithful to God, He remains unwaveringly faithful to us. God could do things immediately, but He uses the delays for our betterment.

Have you ever felt like me? Has your foundation no longer been God’s truth, but instead your feet are planted on unbelief? There may be promises and prayers you have yet to see, and hopelessness has defeated the joy you’ve once felt. Perhaps, you’ve questioned whether or not you can trust God.

Although it may not be easy, we have to choose to believe God’s promises despite the waiting.

Our dreams and hopes may be delayed by our terms, but His love is always right on time.

When your foundation is in Him, you will remain in Him and hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. God has not given up on you, so don’t give up on Him! I encourage you to allow moments of delay or despair to drive you into the arms of our Heavenly Father. God is forever faithful!

Prayer:

Thank you God that you remain faithful to us even when we lose hope in who you are. I pray God that you would help us to trust and believe in you. Open our eyes to see how you are working in us and through us. I pray that we don’t lose hope but become anchored in your love; knowing that your promises are yes and amen.

Written by: Ashley K. Stovall