I have ALWAYS believed in the power of prayer. I believe that God answers! I believe in the faithfulness of my God!
James puts it this way: “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
It’s been years I’ve waited to see God fulfill the vision He gave to me for my ministry. In fact, He’s given me several visions. While I may not know what that vision looks like exactly, I do know that it hasn’t been made full yet. God has revealed that to me.
So, I’m still waiting. Trusting! Believing!
In addition, I’m still waiting for other visions to come to fruition as well.
The question I ask myself is this: “Is God late?”
Has He simply forgotten? Did I hear Him correctly? When can I expect to see Him move?
Why do others see quick answers and I’ve been waiting for what seems like an eternity?
Have you asked the same question? Let’s be honest… it’s common to question God’s timing. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t think that sometimes God is late.
It’s worth a few seconds to see how God worked throughout the Bible.
Here goes…
Abraham and Sarah waited and prayed for a son for many years. God finally did give them a son, but not until Sarah was way past childbearing years and Abraham was an old man.
Was God late?
Moses was raised in the palace of the Pharaoh and fled Egypt at 40 years of age. He lived for 40 years in obscurity until God met him at the burning bush and laid out his life’s vocation. Moses was 80.
Was God late?
For 400 years, the nation of Israel had not heard from God. No word! No prophets! No signs! No visits by angels! Nothing! Then one day, a voice was heard in the wilderness. The promised Messiah had finally come.
Was God late?
Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Jesus’ dear friends. When Lazarus was on the brink of death, his sisters sent word to Jesus to come and heal Him. They knew He would. But Jesus arrived in town after Lazarus had been dead for 4 days (John 11).
Was Jesus late?
Of course, the answer to all these questions is NO!
God is NEVER late!
Peter writes: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness” (2 Peter 3:9).
Solomon said, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Isaiah quotes God: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).
For those of us who are impulsive and want instant answers, waiting is hard. I’m sure it must have been the same for those who lived centuries before us.
As we look back at those scenarios I mentioned earlier, we may ask why God was so long in coming. Well, only God knows the answer to that.
He was still working, though. Setting things up. Getting things ready. Preparing for a movement from His hand.
Paul tells us that “when the time had fully come, God sent his Son…” (Galatians 4:4). Everything was in place, ready. The people were ready, too.
The day Jesus arrived in Bethany to comfort the two grieving sisters, He had a BIGGER plan – a plan they could never have imagined. With a whole town watching, Jesus called Lazarus from the grave. Imagine what that scene would have been like!
Jesus said to Mary and Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God” (John 11:40)? Imagine how seeing this glory cemented faith, opened hearts, strengthened belief, and stirred spirits.
Jesus wasn’t late.
HE WAS RIGHT ON TIME!
So what does this mean for your situation? My circumstances? How long will we need to pray?
Only God knows! But until then, our faith is growing, our trust is getting stronger, and our relationship with Jesus is blossoming.
Don’t give up! Keep praying! Keep trusting! Keep believing!
I can guarantee that God will be right on time!
And it will be all for His glory to shine forth.
Please share this on social media. Let’s pass it along.
Blessings,
