DOMINION OVER DARTS OF DELAY (1)

“But while the bridegroom was DELAYED, they all slumbered and slept” – Matthew 25:5

Understanding Divine Timing will enhance our exercise of DOMINION over DARTS of DELAY: “But while the bridegroom was DELAYED, they all slumbered and slept” (Mt.25:5). To delay means to defer, postpone, suspend, or pause. Even Believers in Christ can relate to the pain of delayed expectation: “Hope deferred makes the HEART sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life” (Pro.13:12). Delay is painful and can lead to frustration and depression. However, there are three types of Delay: DIVINE DELAY caused by God; DEMONIC DELAY by the devil; and SELF-DRIVEN DELAY. The understanding of Divine Delay will better equip us to exercise dominion over Darts of Demonic and Self-driven delay, lest we end up rebelling against our Maker!

Today’s meditation focuses on DIVINE DELAY. This is a time of waiting which holds a purpose and an opportunity for enduring lessons. God can orchestrate delay in our lives because He is arranging a divine appointment up ahead. This is not the norm in the lives of Believers, but it can happen. Understanding that there is a due season for everything eliminates frustration (Ecc.3:1). “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (Ecc.3:11). Habakkuk talks about the vision being for an appointed time (Hab.2:3). Jesus came at the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4). God may delay, but He’s never late! He can reveal Himself in deeper dimensions through divine delays.

In the case of Lazarus, Jesus “stayed two more days” after hearing of his friend’s sickness (Jh.11:6). Lazarus’ death serves as a prime example of God’s delay manifesting His Glory, even though the sisters of Lazarus – Mary and Martha – could not foresee how their brother’s death could bring greater Glory to God. They both said: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jh.11: 21, 32). They knew Jesus could heal, but He wanted to take them to a place of greater faith and glory:  “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Jh.11:25-26). Raising Lazarus from the grave definitely manifested greater Glory that healing him before he died!

Divine delay could also be due to wrong motives in prayer: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jam.4:3). Many cases of divine delay are simply unanswered prayers from either immature or carnal Christians who are filled with lusts or selfish desires instead of Holy Spirit-inspired motivations. It’s a merciful act when God refuses to answer such prayers. We might not have survived childhood if our parents gave us everything we desired or demanded!  Accepting God’s delays requires faith (Heb.11:1). When God’s timetable differs from ours, let’s believe that His Grace and infinite Wisdom know best. Although we don’t understand or cannot see what He is doing, faith produces in us a God-induced optimism.

God promised to answer our prayers, but not necessarily according to our own timetable. For instance, God scheduled an appointment between Joseph and Pharaoh for two years after Pharaoh’s cup bearer was released. Until Pharaoh had his dream, he had no need for Joseph. May we not miss whatever appointment God has scheduled between us and our destiny-helpers in the future, in Jesus Name!  Rather than dive into depression when circumstances frustrate our plans, let’s fix our eyes upon Jesus and trust Him for what we cannot control (Psa.27:4; Pro. 3:5-6). Let's accept God’s delays as part of His providential plan for our lives, knowing that though evil may seem to be triumphing; God will eventually right all wrongs.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet.3:9). May we remain awake, revived, and be counted worthy at the Coming of the Bridegroom, in Jesus name!