Delays in Answered Prayer

“Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! ” (Isaiah 30:18, NIV)

God often delays in answering prayer. We have several instances of this in Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day—he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was not answered for a long while. Paul sought the Lord three times that “the thorn in the flesh” might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead a promise that God’s grace should be sufficient for him.

If you have been knocking at the gate of mercy, and have not received an answer, can I tell you why you have not received the answer you desire? Our Father has reasons peculiar to himself for keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show his power and his sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. You may be kept waiting in order that your desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if he keeps you waiting you will see your necessity more clearly, and will seek more earnestly; and that you will prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying.

There may also be something wrong in you which must be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps your views of the Gospel plan are confused, or you may be placing some little reliance on yourself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes you tarry awhile that he may more fully display the riches of his grace to you at last. Your prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to your delight and satisfaction. Don't let despair make you silent, but continue in earnest supplication.

Adapted from Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening : Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.