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◄ Being Delayed►

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Introduction:
The concept of being delayed is a recurring theme in the Bible, often serving as a test of faith, patience, and reliance on God's timing. Delays can be seen as divine interventions that shape character, teach dependence on God, and align believers with His perfect will.

Biblical Instances of Delay:

1.Abraham and Sarah:
Abraham and Sarah experienced a significant delay in the fulfillment of God's promise to give them a son. Despite their advanced age, God assured them of a child, and Isaac was born as a testament to God's faithfulness. This delay tested their faith and patience.Genesis 21:1-2 states, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him."

2.Joseph's Journey:
Joseph's life is marked by a series of delays, from being sold into slavery to his time in prison. These delays were instrumental in preparing him for his eventual role as a leader in Egypt.Genesis 50:20 reflects on this, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

3.The Israelites in the Wilderness:
The Israelites' journey to the Promised Land was delayed by 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. This period was a time of testing and refining.Numbers 14:33-34 records, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and suffer for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness."

4.Jesus' Delay in Coming to Lazarus:
InJohn 11, Jesus delays His visit to Lazarus, resulting in Lazarus' death. This delay was purposeful, intended to reveal God's glory through the resurrection of Lazarus.John 11:4 states, "When Jesus heard this, He said, 'This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'"

Theological Implications:

1.Divine Timing:
Delays often highlight the difference between human timing and divine timing. God's plans are perfect, and His timing is always purposeful, even when it is not immediately understood by believers.

2.Faith and Patience:
Delays serve as a test of faith and patience.James 1:3-4 encourages believers, "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

3.Trust in God's Sovereignty:
Delays remind believers of God's sovereignty and the need to trust in His plans.Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

4.Preparation and Growth:
Delays can be a time of preparation and spiritual growth. They provide opportunities for believers to develop character and deepen their relationship with God.

Practical Applications:

1.Prayer and Reflection:
During times of delay, believers are encouraged to seek God in prayer and reflect on His promises, trusting that He is working all things for their good.

2.Community Support:
Engaging with a community of faith can provide encouragement and support during periods of waiting, reminding believers that they are not alone in their journey.

3.Active Waiting:
While waiting, believers are called to remain active in their faith, serving others and continuing in their spiritual disciplines, trusting that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect time.

Topical Bible Verses

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 119:60
I made haste, and delayed not to keep your commandments.
Topicalbible.org

Ezekiel 12:28
Therefore say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, said the Lord GOD.
Topicalbible.org

Library

God's Pathway to Human Hearts.
... But deeper down by far than that is this: God's purposes arebeing delayed;delayed
because of our unwillingness to learn how to pray, or, our slowness"I...

Whether the Dead Can be Assisted by the Works of the Living?
... Yet their way is not so hedged around that they cannot be helped by others in the
matter of theirbeing delayed from receiving their final award, because in...

Letter iii. To Bassula, his Mother-In-Law.
... We know, indeed, that you desire to be with Christ; but thy reward above is safe,
and will not be diminished bybeing delayed; rather have pity upon us, whom...

Whether Christ Descending into Hell Delivered the Holy Fathers...
... something upon them as to their attaining glory: and in consequence He dispelled
the suffering which they endured through their glorybeing delayed: still they...

St. Ambrose Gives Additional Rules Concerning Repentance, and...
... additional rules concerning repentance, and shows that it must not bedelayed.... by
diligently ploughing his field, sought for eternal fruit: "Being reviled we...

Whether the Time of Our Resurrection Should beDelayed Till the...
... But the resurrection of certain members that desire nobility from theirbeing closely
connected with the Head was notdelayed till the end of the world, but...

Delivered from Prison
... While, upon various pretexts, the execution of Peter wasbeing delayed until after
the Passover, the members of the church had time for deep searching of heart...

The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr.
... Butbeing delayed to the morrow, he returned from the pr??torium to the officer's
house, when on a sudden a scattered rumour prevailed throughout all Carthage...

Whether Souls are Conveyed to Heaven or Hell Immediately after...
... sometimes venial sin, though needing first of all to be cleansed, is an obstacle
to the receiving of the reward; the resultbeing that the reward isdelayed....

Methodism.
... by the Archbishop of Canterbury until Feb. 4, 1787, the consecrationbeing
delayed and nearly frustrated by certain impediments....