In Hebrews 10:36-37 I read, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.'" (NIV)
If I’m discouraged because of God’s delay in answering my prayers, understand the delay is not a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come yet doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer, or that he’s forgotten me or doesn’t care about me. It simply means “not yet”!
Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between “no” and “not yet,” between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, “He who is coming will come and will not delay” (Hebrews 10:37 NIV).
God’s delay may be a test of my patience. Anybody can be patient once. And most people can be patient twice, or even three times. God tests my patience over and over.
Does he do this to see how patient I am? No, he does it so I can see how patient I can be. His testing helps me to see God’s power at work in me and to determine my level of commitment to him.
God tests me also so that I can know he is faithful, even if the answers I seek are delayed.
When I go through difficult times, I may be discouraged because the situation I’m facing seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair.
It may seem unbearable, and inside I’m basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!” But I can.
I can stay with it longer because God is with me. He’ll equip me to press on.
Remember, I am never a failure until I quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before me.
In summary, learn to persevere so that when I have dTone the will of God, I will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay. Don’t be discouraged because of God’s delay in answering my prayers. Understand that delay is not a denial, It simply means “not yet”! Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between “no '' and “not yet, God’s delay may be a test of my patience. And He tests my patience over and over. He does it so I can see how patient I can be. His testing helps me to see His power at work in me and to determine my level of commitment to him. God tests me also so that I can know he is faithful. When I go through difficult times, I may be discouraged because the situation I’m facing seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair. It may seem unbearable, and inside I’m basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. But I can. I can stay with it longer because God is with me. He’ll equip me to press on. I am never a failure until I quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before me.
God's Word gives me a clear choice between two life directions. Because life often forks off in two directions, I must take the higher road, even through it looks more difficult and treacherous. That road gets steep in places. The climb takes a toll on my energy. It gets lonely. Not many are on it, but more that I imagined, and some because of my example. It gets slippery; the devil blows ice on the narrow passages. Despite its dangers, the higher road is bound for the peak, and I'll make it, God has a lifeline around me. When I am tempted to falter in my faith or to turn back fro following Christ, keep focused on what he has done for me and what he offers in the future. Then keep climbing. Remain steadfast to hold firm. Because Christ lives in me, I can have that kind of endurance. Jesus predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated him. In the midst of terrible persecution, they could have hope, however, knowing that salvation was theirs. Times of trial server to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When I am pressured to give up and turn my back on Christ, remember the benefits of standing firm and continue to live for Christ. Patient endurance is not a way to be saved but the evidence that I am really committed to Jesus.
Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me.
Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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