Word of Encouragement (8/27/2020)

Today, we want to reflect on “the problem of delay” in the fulfillment of God's promises. I’m sure we are very much aware of this challenge in our Christian life. This is one of the things that not only frustrates us but also tempts us to doubt God and His love for us. But if we are honest, this is a very simplistic approach to God, who is the most complex Being of all. Andrew Gray provides several reasons that a loving God should “delay” the fulfillment of His promises.

“First, believers often grow in faith more during the delay of the fulfillment of a promise than after the accomplishment of it” (p. 31). The authors give the example of David—how his conduct was “saintly” and “exemplary” while he was being pursued by Absalom (or, Saul) but how he fell in sin (with Bathsheba) when he was comfortable. I think we all know how that is.

“Second, God delays the fulfillment of His promises to reveal and discipline us for our sloth” (p. 31). The example that the authors give is the thirty-eight extra years the Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for their unbelief.

“Third, God delays the accomplishment of promises so that we might exercise more faith” (p. 31). We can see why. If God’s promises are always fulfilled easily and quickly, we don’t need to exercise our faith, which is necessary to grow our faith. In fact, just as our muscles would atrophy if we don’t engage in strenuous activities, our faith would grow weaker when it is not challenged and put through trying times. God wants us to grow in our faith and not remain infantile.

“The fourth reason the Lord waits to fulfill a promise is to encourage us to pray more earnestly for the accomplishment of the promise” (p. 31). When do we pray earnestly? Isn’t it when we recognize our weakness and see how desperately we need Him? And is there any place safer and better than at the throne of God’s grace? The more we mature in faith, the more dependent we become on God rather than independent of God. This is so because we “live and move and have our being in God” and our mature faith enables us to be more aware of this truth.

“Fifth, the Lord sometimes waits to fulfill a promise so that it might be sweeter when it is accomplished” (p. 32). We can easily see how this is the case, especially after praying earnestly and long for something.

“Sixth, the Lord often delays so we might be more dependent on Him” (p. 32). This is similar to the fourth reason.

“Finally, the Lord sometimes delays so that the glory of His wisdom and power might appear brighter in the fulfillment of His promises” (p. 32). This is so, not simply because it comes after a long time of waiting. God does not delay the fulfillment of His promises because fulfilling it after a long time by itself brings more glory to Him; rather, it is because He fulfills His promise at the right time according to His perfect wisdom, which will maximize His glory. We have to patiently wait for “all the stars to align” perfectly.

Have a blessed day as you patiently and faithfully wait for the perfect timing of His promises!

Jeong W "James" Lee

Pastor,

New Life Presbyterian Church of La Jolla

PCA