13/10/2023
Dealing with Delays
What is a delay?
1. A delay is an act of postponing the occurrence of an event
2. A delay is the period of temporary setback or a prolonged waiting period for something expected to happen.
3. A delay is something that hinders the progress of person, a process, an action or an event
Job 14:14 KJV
If a man die, shall he live again?
all the days of my appointed time will I wait,
till my change come.
Jesus waited for eighteen years before he was launched out into the Ministry. David waited for thirteen years after he was anointed before he became king. Moses waited for forty more years before he could be sent back as a deliverer to Israel.
Delays are part and parcel of life. Life is full of expected delays. There are different kinds of delays. There are delays caused by the devil. These are called hinderances or roadblocks. This is an attempt by the enemy to discourage us and to deter us from fulfilling our God given destiny. See Romans 1:13 NKJV; Acts 4:13-20; 12:1-4.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 KJV
Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
A satanic delay is designed to stop the furtherance of God’s plans and purpose. It is an intentional act by the cohorts of hell to sabotage the advancement of the plans and purposes of God for an individual, family, church, community, organization or nation.
We are meant to confront and contend against satanic delays. We have to intentionally bind the workings of the enemy. We have to engage in warfare prayers exercising our God given authority by commanding and demanding what is legally ours in Christ.
We can also spend time praying in other tongues when we don’t really know how to go about it or if the problem persists. We can also enlist the involvement of others who know how to pray so we could synergize in prayer until the answer comes. Hallelujah! See Acts 4:23-33; 12:1-11; 12:24; Romans 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
However, there is a second type of delay. This is what we call Divine delays. This is when God seems to withhold things from us because we are not mature enough or ready for it. This also happens when God is dealing with our character, for example, our pride. God resists the proud. Divine delays are designed to help us grow up or become better person. See James 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:5-6.
Remember what we said earlier. Jesus waited for eighteen years before he was launched out into the Ministry. David waited for thirteen years after he was anointed before he became king. Moses waited for forty more years before he could be sent back as a deliverer to Israel. Divine delays are for our good.
Exodus 13:17-18 NLT
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
God took Israel through a longer route because they were not ready to face the philistines. The essence of Divine delays is to protect us and preserve us. Do not force anything to happen. Trust God. Trust His timing. Divine delays are designed to teach us patience.
Galatians 4:1-2 NKJV
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.
God's delays are not denials, they are opportunities to prepare and position ourselves for what God has promised us. God desires the best for us. But He wants to be ready for what He has planned for us.
Without this mentality we will be discouraged that God is denying us what we need or what we want. God is a generous giver. He doesn't withhold things from us. He withholds things for us, in other words, for our good, our favor or our benefit.
Remember that God the Father is a parent. As parents there are things we know our children want but we cannot give them because they are not mature enough to handle them properly. God the Father is a better parent than any of us. He keeps something from us until we are mature as well.
Luke 1:80 KJV
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
Growing up spiritually, developing ourselves mentally by renewing our minds and nurturing and culturing our emotions in line with God's Word prepares and positions us for what God the Father has prepared for us to have and enjoy.
Keep investing in your own spiritual development. Keep increasing in wisdom and the favor of God will also keep increasing in your life as you keep growing spiritually. See Luke 2:40; 2:52.
This is not the time to pull back because your dreams are delayed. This is a time to press harder by working on yourself. You cannot do better until you become better. You cannot have more until you become more.
This is a time to go all out in developing yourself. This is a time to read like never before. Raise your level of excellence. Focus on improving your character. Acquire new skills. Gain new knowledge.
Everything you will ever need is already available. The question is, "Are you ready for what God has made ready for you? Then it is important for us to start preparing like never before and investing in our own development because God will only promote you when you are overqualified for your present assignment. Let's get to work. Selah
In His Majesty's Service,
DWF
Preserving the Faith of the Fathers For Future Generations