Understanding Delay

I hope this is an encouraging word for someone—discouraged by delays, by the hiccups of life that seem insidious; by the time that goes too fast when you want it to be slow and too slow when you want it to be fast. ​

​Meditation
2 Peter 3:9--The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.
            
There is a delay that is harmful as when one is sick and needs immediate medical attention. One requiring justice may be hurt by a postponement that prolongs injustice.  
            
Delay at times may also be suitable. Mokokoma Mokhonoana stated, “Many outcomes were greatly improved by things that delayed them.” I remember Titus sharing his story of how he missed his subway stop when headed for the twin towers. Because he went to the wrong station, his delay spared his life in New York City on the fateful morning of 9/11.  A decision to postpone my trip home by a week after a six-month deployment spared my life when the plane I could have been on crashed, killing all 256 people on board. I take every day as a gift. God may be doing some life rearranging necessary to better suit you so that when the time is right, you are better prepared to celebrate what is achieved. 
            
Sunday Adelaja suggests, “If you always want to have whatever you want any time you want it with no delays, and denial of self, you would end up ruining your life.” Ovid noted, “At times it is folly to hasten at other times, to delay. The wise do everything in its proper time.”  And that is what the Apostle Peter would have us understand. God works with delays we may never understand to accomplish a purpose we may never see.  His delay may mean salvation. If the waiting is from Him, it will bear the fruit of joy. If the deferral means silence Oswald Chambers taught, “His silence is the sign that He is bringing you into a marvellous understanding of Himself.”[1]
            
So be encouraged when that seems like a crazy notion.  Hold your head high and walk in the confidence that God will use you in the delay just as He will bless you in the arrival. Something to think about . . . in reveration! 
 
Inspiration
When the darkness of dismay comes, endure until it is over, because out of it will come that following of Jesus which is an unspeakable joy.—Oswald Chambers in My Utmost For His Highest, p. 75.
 
©2022 Daniel York.  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)



[1] My Utmost For His Highest, p. 284