GOD'S DELAY MAY INDICATE THAT A GREATER DISPLAY OF HIS POWER IS COMING

While sharing God's word with friends in Paris, TX this past Sunday morning I saw something that blessed me through and through. I was sharing about Paul and Silas being arrested in Philippi, publicly beaten, and then thrown into prison and their feet put in stocks. I then read that at midnight, while they were praying and praising God, an earthquake came and shook the foundations of the prison house with everyone's bands being loosed and every prison door standing open (Acts 16:25-33).

I asked the rhetorical question, "Why didn't God deliver them before they were beaten and put in prison?" As soon as the question was out of my mouth, I saw the answer. It was for God's greater glory. As a result of God's deliverance coming just when it did, the jailer and his entire household came to Christ. I think we can assume the same about the prisoners, for not one of them tried to escape when they easily could have. As a result of God's delay, a greater display of His power was seen.

As I shard this I was reminded of Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead. Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha, had sent Jesus a note asking him to come and heal their brother who was sick. Jesus did not immediately respond but delayed the departure for his two-day journey by two days. As a result of His delay, Lazarus died. But in conversation with His disciples about the matter, Jesus had said, "This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God" (John 11:4).

Jesus came to Bethany and raised Lazarus from the dead, even though he had been buried now for four days. It was an incredible miracle and had a far greater impact than a healing would have had. As a result, many of the Jews who were there "believed in Him" (John 11:45).

So, if you are experiencing delay in an answer to prayer, don't throw in the towel. Don't give up! The delay could be for the greater glory of God. God's delay could indicate that a greater display of His power is coming.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is historian, Bible teacher and ordained minister with a commission to help facilitate another Great Awakening across the land by documenting America's Christian birth out of a great spiritual awakening. He has done this in his latest book, 1726: The Year that Defined America, available from Amazon and his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.