In the present day world, almost everything has to move fast. If by some other reason an apparent delay is seen, we tend to lose patience. Perseverance also seems to wear out fast. The Bible tells us that everything has its time (Ecclesiastes 3: 1–8). Many a time we have desired something from God, but at times answers to prayers have tarried. We have desired to have our health restored, perhaps right at the same minute, but to our surprise, it has taken longer than we thought! One may be looking for a life- partner (husband or wife) for some time, but the answers seem to have been apparently delayed, etc. . .

Jesus tried to put this perplexity plain in the prayer that He taught using the short phrase: “Thy will be done.” Matthew 6:10. God’s will is always best for us. His time and way are always right! To the prophet Isaiah of old, God revealed Himself as follows:

”For My thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways My ways, saith the LORD.  For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. . . . So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8–9, 11

“God’s purposes know no haste and no delay.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 32

This forms a preliminary answer to the perplexity. If He has promised us something truly He will fulfill it regardless of how long it takes. As we are just about to see, it is a dangerous thing unto us to take matters into our hands to try to fulfill something that is the prerogative of God’s alone; to fulfill that which He Himself must do in His own way and appropriate time.

Abraham and Sarah failed the test of faith and patience in this way:

“Abraham had accepted without question the promise of a son, but he did not wait for God to fulfill His word in His own time and way. A delay was permitted, to test his faith in the power of God; but he failed to endure the trial. Thinking it impossible that a child should be given her in her old age, Sarah suggested, as a plan by which the divine purpose might be fulfilled. . . . Abraham’s marriage with Hagar resulted in evil, not only to his own household, but to future generations.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 145

Truly, if we venture on the forbidden ground to try to act on behalf of God in trying to bring about something in our own way and time, we place ourselves in great danger. We may be preparing ourselves for a lifelong repentance.

Jacob and Rebekah also failed on the same point:

“Jacob and Rebekah succeeded in their purpose, but they gained only trouble and sorrow by their deception. God had declared that Jacob should receive the birthright, and His word would have been fulfilled in His own time had they waited in faith for Him to work for them. But like many who now profess to be children of God, they were unwilling to leave the matter in His hands. Rebekah bitterly repented the wrong counsel she had given her son; it was the means of separating him from her, and she never saw his face again.” –Conflict and Courage, p. 62

“In one short hour he had made work for a lifelong repentance. . . .

“The error that had led to Jacob’s sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud was now clearly set before him. He had not trusted God’s promises, but had sought by his own efforts to bring about that which God would have accomplished in His own time and way.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 180, 197

At times, God may give us another opportunity to redeem a past failure. In such a case, instead of complaining, we must thank Him for it.

“God had called Abraham to be the father of the faithful, and his life was to stand as an example of faith to succeeding generations. But his faith had not been perfect. He had shown distrust of God in concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife, and again in his marriage with Hagar. That he might reach the highest standard, God subjected him to another test, the closest which man was ever called to endure.”  –Conflict and Courage, p. 56

It is very important to first listen, and follow the direction that God bids us to go. Do not be so rash as to act from impulse. The example of the Patriarch, Noah during trying times stands as a rebuke to those who follow the opposite course.

“Noah and his family anxiously waited for the decrease of the waters, for they longed to go forth again upon the earth. Forty days after the tops of the mountains became visible, they sent out a raven, a bird of quick scent, to discover whether the earth had become dry. This bird, finding nothing but water, continued to fly to and from the ark. Seven days later a dove was sent forth, which, finding no footing, returned to the ark. Noah waited seven days longer, and again sent forth the dove. When she returned at evening with an olive leaf in her mouth, there was great rejoicing. Later ‘Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.’ Still he waited patiently within the ark. As he had entered at God’s command, he waited for special directions to depart.

“At last an angel descended from heaven, opened the massive door, and bade the patriarch and his household go forth upon the earth and take with them every living thing.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 105

“We know not what we should pray for as we ought:” but “the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for. . . the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26

Answers to certain prayers are instant while others are not.

“In some instances of healing, Jesus did not at once grant the blessing sought. But in the case of leprosy, no sooner was the appeal made than it was granted. When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 266

The first Coming of Jesus stands to us as an assurance that God will never be slack with His promises.

“The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, ‘The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.’ Ezekiel 12:22.” –Maranatha, p. 9

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son. . . To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”  Galatians 4:4–5

In an interesting note, at the very end of time, The Father in heaven will reveal to His children the day and hour of the Second Coming of the Son of Man! What a wonderful hope! We have waited for that event for a long time, have we not?

“Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake. When God spake the time, He poured upon us the Holy Spirit, and our faces began to light up and shine with the glory of God, as Moses’ did when he came down from Mount Sinai.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 59

Dear reader, a fellow traveler in the heavenward journey, God has appointed the best time for every event. His clock continues to tick! It is not time to murmur; instead it is time to courageously forge ahead with the heavenward journey. Sometimes even amidst many perplexities. But know and understand that as you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He said all these things shall be added unto you! (Matthew 6: 33). Amen.

Joel Msiska