A young man was to embark on a journey outside of his base. It would take some hours. For no reason, his pastor called and asked him to come see him before leaving for the journey. He decided to obey despite the delay it would cost him. Unknown to him, an accident happened at the exact time and route that he would have taken if he went straight on the trip. He realised that God had used the delay to deliver him from evil.
Friend, delay is not denial, and disappointments often lead to blessing (Psalms 17:4). Some delays are simply divine strategies to birth God’s counsel for your life and destiny. Always remember this; God is not slow, and God is never late (1 Peter 3:9). His timing is always perfect if only you can trust His wisdom.
I always tell singles, it is better to marry late and marry right than to marry early and miss it (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Sometimes, what you call marital delay is just a strategy of God to keep you from the wrong marriage. When you cast a retrospect on your life, you would look back and overflow with joy and thanksgiving to the One who maintains your destiny (Psalms 16:5-6).
Anytime I read the story of Lazarus, I cannot but try to contrast the love that Jesus had for Lazarus and His seeming delay in showing up when he was sick (John 11:5-6). At least, if someone is your friend, you should rush in and save him from sickness. But Jesus delayed for a reason (John 11:4). Sometimes, you doubt God’s love in your waiting season. The devil would begin to fill your heart with contemplations. You ask; “Does Jesus really love me?”
God does not only want to order our steps, He also wants to order our stops. When next you pray with Psalms 37:23, always add the STOPS to it. If God does not order the stops of some people, they would soon find themselves in a ditch (Psalms 17:4). In fact, I believe God often orders our steps by ordering our stops. He delays us to deliver us from the devil and usher us into destiny (Matthew 6:13).
Whereas there are some delays that are demonic, a lot are divine, while a few are human. Sometimes, it’s not God or the devil stopping you. It is just your ignorance or negligence (Ecclesiastes 10:10, 15). We overcome satanic delays by prayers. We overcome human delays by seeking relevant knowledge. Divine delay would require patience and submission to God’s will (James 5:7-8). Remember, when you think you are delayed, God may be working out a glorious destiny for you (Luke 1:36). But would you dare wait?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria