Finding Growth in Your Delay
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
I confess, I don’t do well with delay, do you? Delays can be frustrating. They can create insecurity. How do you handle delay in your life? What you do during the delays of life can determine your destiny. So, what should you do? Here are five proactive steps you can take while you wait that will help you grow even stronger.
1. Affirm God’s goodness. While David waited on God to come through and accomplish His purpose, he made a bold proclamation. He refused to give in to fear and discontent. He declared, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV) Despite being physically threatened, David held on to God’s promises. He put his trust in God’s character and His goodness. In Psalm 42:6 (MSG), he said, “When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of You….”
I love that, don’t you? Even a man after God’s own heart can get in the dumps! Maybe that’s how you feel today. You’re tired of waiting. It seems endless. If you’re there now, affirm God’s goodness; rehearse in your heart everything you know to be true of God, His love, His power, His faithfulness, His mercy, and His timing. Remember how God has come through before.
2. Ask God for what you need today. Don’t project out into the future. Live one day at a time. Remember how Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11 (NKJV) Don’t try to hurry God up or help Him out. He knows what He is about. Just ask Him for what you need to get you through today. Trust Him for the tomorrows. You need to just get through this day. He will meet your need today. In Psalm 40:17 (NLT), David makes a 911 prayer from the waiting room. He prays, “As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in His thoughts. You are my helper and my Savior. O my God, do not delay.”
3. Surround yourself with encouragers. You need people around you to encourage you. When everyone else walks out, they walk in! This is the value of a Life Group and a local church family. In David’s delay, God brought many mighty men to him that encouraged him and followed his leadership at the risk of their own lives. In 2 Samuel 23, David lists their names and acts of heroism in his defense. Like David, you were never meant to face the struggles of life alone. If you want to make it through the delays, pray for and seek out those who will encourage you and speak the truth in love to you. Become part of a Life Group.
4. Remember that heaven is your home. In Psalm 73:25 (MSG), the Psalmist declared to the Lord, “You’re all I want in heaven! You’re all I want on earth.” Is that true in your life? Are you still longing for things in this world that can never satisfy your soul? The Bible describes Christ followers as aliens and strangers here. We’re not home yet. Heaven is our home. One day all the delay will be over, and it will have been worth the wait! You were created for something greater than this world. Heaven is your home!
5. Sing until you see the promise fulfilled. This is what David did in his delay. The Psalms are a collection of his songs. They are his prayers put to song. In Psalm 71 (NLT) he said, “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but You will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. I will shout for joy and sing Your praises, for You have ransomed me.”
David wasn’t singing the blues during his delay. He sang a song of promise, of hope, and of faith. While you’re waiting, sing until you see the promise fulfilled in your life. Don’t let the delay rob you of your song of deliverance!
Are you stuck in a delay right now? Which of these steps could you take today to help you grow stronger? Put them into practice and discover a deeper dimension of spiritual growth while you wait.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.