We are also not fond of the third possible way God answers our prayer: delay. Yet this is another test of our Faith in Him. With “delay,” God is answering our prayer “Yes, but not yet.” This is a matter of His perfect Timing. God knows when we are ready to receive the answered prayer and He knows if we are not ready, a blessing can turn into a curse. Trust, once again, is required here!
So how Sovereign is God? He knows if and when we will answer any of His calls, and works it all together for our good. Once again this is not an excuse to delay, but it IS a relief when we choose to do so. Here’s the issue with a response of “delay” on our part though: delay’s can easily turn into deny’s. If we say, “yes, but not yet,” life can quickly get distracting and we can easily never get to doing what we said we’d do. But an easy way to turn a delay into a direct (yes) answer, is to stop what we are doing and simply obey right then and there.
Here’s a quick example and application: if someone asks you to pray for them, don’t just say, “Oh yes I will pray for you.” Instead, stop right there and then and pray WITH the person…or if they have to leave, you stop and pray FOR them, right then and there. Praying for others, whether they ask for it or God places them on your heart, is always a powerful call from God. Let us continue to grow and turn all our delay’s into direct obedience. As we do, everyone wins: God is glorified, others are blessed and we sense more fulfillment in our own lives.
How God answers our prayers:
1- Direct: “Yes, here you go. Trust Me.”
2- Deny: “No, that’s not what is best for you. Trust My Plan.”
3- Delay: “Yes but you’re not ready yet. Trust My Timing.”
How we answer God’s calls:
1- Direct: “Yes Father, here I am to gladly obey. I trust You.”
2- Deny: “No Father, I refuse to obey. I trust my own plan.”
3- Delay: “Yes Father, but not right now. I trust my own timing.”
<>< Peace, Diane
