Divine Delays

"Good morning. This is an announcement for passengers flying to Chicago. The flight has been delayed due to weather conditions. We apologize for any inconvenience."

"Good afternoon. All passengers of Flight 847 to Dallas. The departure gate has been changed to 11A. Also, there will be a slight departure delay due to inclement weather outside. The ground crew is in the process of de-icing the wings in preparation for departure."

Does this sound familiar? Have you been among the crowd of eager listeners awaiting the call for boarding only to hear that your flight is delayed again, and again, and yet again?

Well, I've flown domestically and internationally many times in the past few years and have never experienced delays such as I did during my recent travels to Cambodia and Thailand. I've had mission trips scheduled in the dead of winter and lost sleep over the fears that flights would be cancelled, only to have them go off without a single delay. This time, however, there seemed to be delay after delay after delay.

We received our first snow of the season as I was flying out so I expected a bit of a delay but the de-icing of the plane seemed to take a long time and was setting many people on edge who had close connections in Chicago. On my connecting flight from Chicago, we were all settled in our seats when our pilot announced that she requested to refuel so we would have more than enough to get us to our destination (good thing, right?). That was another 45 minute delay which caused for more grumbling.

There wasn't much for me to worry about since our destination was where I would be for the night to meet up with my friend who would be travelling with me the rest of the way. However, I did feel sorry for those around me who sat on the edge of their seats with flight tickets in hand in anticipation of any changes in their connection. Worry was plainly written on their faces as the delay announcements seemed to never end.

We live in a world with instant access to almost anything... from food, to cash, to talking with a friend in another country. We expect things to be done swiftly and perfectly at the snap of a finger. When it doesn't happen that way we file a complaint, post a bad review, or ask for the manager.

How many of us approach God with the same expectation? We want our prayers answered... in an instant. When it comes to our requests we want answers immediately. Don't we?

Have you been praying for something and find you are still waiting for an answer?

Let's look at some examples in the Bible.
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​At times we see God's Express Service, those moments when miracles were performed in an instant and requests were answered immediately.

• Water miraculously provided from a rock (Numbers 20:7-11)
• Supernatural fire in response to the prayers of Elijah (1 Kings 18:19-39)
• Healing of 2 blind men (Matthew 9:27-31)
• Resurrection of a widow's son (Luke 7:11-18)
• Feeding thousands on a few loaves and fishes (Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:1)
• and many, many more.

Have you been praying for something and find you are still waiting for an answer?

Then there are times of God's Divine Delays. Here are some Biblical examples​:

• Noah was warned of a coming flood. He preached to the rebels around him for 120 years... and waited. (Genesis 6-8; Hebrews 11:7)
• Abraham and Sarah were promised a son in their old age. They waited... and waited. (Genesis 21:1; Hebrews 11:11)
• David was anointed as the next king of Israel. He ran for his life from a jealous king... and he waited. (1 Samuel 16:3; Psalm 11; Psalm 59) 
• Mary and Marth sent for Jesus... and waited. (John 11)

Let's face it. No one likes to wait. Sometimes our ugly side comes out when we are forced to wait. ​Think of the modern drive-thru. We want it fresh. We want it hot. We want it NOW! 
We really have high expectations and become upset or depressed when those expectations are not met. 

There's a truth that I must share with you. Just because we do not immediately hear an answer does not mean that God has forgotten us. 

Delays make more sense when we realize that He takes extra care and more time for those things that are more valuable... like us, His children!

Delays make us pray longer, more often, and more fervently. At least that is what I have learned. These delays brings our true character out. I've discovered the ugly and more valuable characteristics in myself during the waiting seasons in my life.

So, what is revealed in us when God doesn't respond immediately?

What can we learn in the middle of all that waiting?

What lessons await us during each delay? 

Pray... "Though I don't understand, I know You're doing ALL things for my good."

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 
Psalm 130:5

Written by: Sonia E. Vargas

Comment below with your experiences in the delayed seasons of life and what you have learned from those experiences.