There are many times that I don't think ...or perhaps I often act, without thinking first.

But, this is not the direction we are going here.

(And it is important to know what direction you are going.)

Matthew, Chapter 25:  Shows us how our eagerness and excitement may begin as a good thing, yet with our anticipation and expectations often come discouragement and disappointment.  That puts our faith on a timetable. 

Delay can provide more time for prayer & preparation ...or it can breed impatience.

Impatience can reveal stress & a need for correction ...or it can harbor doubt.

Doubt can promote more serious study ...or it can stir apprehension.

Apprehension can cause us to turn to God, or away from God ...with fear.

Fear can be the beginning of many wrong choices ...or the fear of God, is the beginning of wisdom.

Wisdom is in realizing that His delay can bring us to a more proper attitude through prayer, preparing in the correct way, keeping our mind on Him and His Word, allowing ourselves to focus & grow stronger, and using the time He has given us ...to be used by Him for the purpose of sharing the Gospel truths to men and women, so they can experience salvation.

We are told to mature from the milk to the meat.

The meat of our faith may be like separating the men from the boys ...or the women from the girls.

And yes, one day we will meet Him.

Though we are expected to mature, we are also encouraged to become as little children with our faith ...

Being children of God ...let us be as obedient children as we can, not in expectations of gifts.  Nor should we be like spoiled children facing trials filled with tantrums.  And though we should be confident, we should not have the attitude that our Father can beat up any who would be so bold as to challenge ...it's just that we have the best Father in our Heavenly Father.

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I cannot list all the examples of how God uses delay to our advantage ...but more importantly, to His glory.

Mary and Martha and the rest grieving over the death of Lazarus ...so Jesus could show them the resurrection.

Abraham waiting so much longer than anyone could even fathom. I look at Abraham as a patient man ...and I don't believe he doubted either.  I think he was confused.

Of course, I wasn't there.  I don't know whether he kept asking God to clear up the matter for him, or whether he began to try to figure it out for himself ...with the eventual help of his wife.

I just know that with InVitro Fertilization Treatments, records show a woman in Spain gave birth when she was nearly 67 years old.  They say she lied about her age to get the treatments, stating she was 55.

Another record lists Mrs. Pace at the age of 73, having had her 17th child, in 1939.  Few people would consider keeping up with that pace ...but, she appears to have exceeded all others.

But, when Sarah was ...not in her 70's, not in her 80's even, but over 90 years old she gave birth to Isaac.  Abraham was recorded to be a century old. 

What does this show me??

It shows me that far beyond the stretches of our imagination ...God works, perhaps not as we expected, but to glory beyond. 

There are many more examples, but I won't rob you of your own studies.  

And it may, or may not be significant if you delay ...but, just consider how vigilant we should be, as He just might not delay much longer.


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