The journey had seemed so long and I was tired. Oh, yes; throughout the journey I had watched the mighty hand of God guide my every step. I had watched His grace as it had shown forth in forgiveness on me His child. I had learned of the depth of His love for me. He was my guiding light throughout the struggles—even during the abusive relationships. God had displayed His majesty as He carried me through the cancer and then the ulcerative colitis. So, when they found the mass on the pancreas there was a part of me that sighed a prayer, “Lord, are you taking me home? I am tired. It has been a long journey. I just want to be with you.” That was 2002. So, obviously; God had a different plan to display His Glory to me here on earth. He knew I still needed to learn that He was my joy, my hope, and my everlasting love here. He knew my prayer to go home and leave this world was a cry to leave the pain because I didn’t know how to bask in His joy, love, and hope here. He knew that for me to fully experience heaven with Him one day, I needed to realize how majestic He really is and I needed to learn that here first. I needed my eyes to learn to see Glory first. Steadily, patiently, slowly He has continued His work of transforming my heart so I might see His Glory and His Majesty with greater clarity.
All too often, we are very impatient in our desire to have our prayers answered. We, too often, become discouraged while waiting for God to answer or to fulfill a promise which we may be clinging to with all our heart.
original photo used by permission of Jim Peregoy
Yet, God knows when our heart is ready to see His Glory in the miracle before us; so, He waits. He knows when we will know that without Him there is no hope left—so we might feel the magical awe of watching Him intervene for us. When, all the hope of our own efforts is gone; He can display His might in such a manner that we will give Him all the Glory and hence we will feel the overwhelming joy of watching His love bestowed on us.
Remember the story of Lazarus, Mary and Martha?
“4 When Jesus heard that, he said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.’ 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was” (John 11) Did you read that? Because He loved them, He waited. Not because He wanted to make them suffer. He knew they still did not fully know who He was. Oh, they believed; but, they didn’t comprehend His Glory, His Majesty and the depth of His Joy—here and know. They believed in one day; but, for now we will carry our cross with saddened faces. Jesus wanted them to know “wonder, awe, and majesty” here and now. “ 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11).
What miracle are you waiting for today? Has God seemed silent? Let me suggest four reasons why God waits to display His Glory.
1. He needs to prepare our heart to receive His Joy, His love and His Glory. Yes, sometimes there are things we need to repent. Sometimes there are things we need to learn through prayer and bible study to be ready. So, because He loves you; God waits.
2. He needs us to have exhausted our own efforts. If my own best effort is only to fail, then I am able to see the miracle of God which allows success against all odds.
3. For the good of the kingdom, He needs to display His Glory through our lives.
4. To grow up our faith. The greater our faith grows, the more we focus on Christ for our joy, our hope and our glory. Our hearts grow with each miracle witnessed.
We can then sing like David in Psalm 62 5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
I have listed 4 of the reasons why God waits, I would love to hear from you with your stories and other reasons why God may wait to answer a prayer.
Listen to Glorious Unfolding by Steven Curtis Chapman.
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects and to discuss pricing.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
God so wants to show you the wonder of His Joy, Hope, Love and Glory–often it is for that reason He waits until our hearts are ready to experience the magic of His miraculous answer to our request.