When God is Late

I don't wait well.

I chafe in the grocery line. I fidget at the bank. I carry a book with me at all times, lest I waste a single moment in inactivity. I wipe down the cabinet doors while waiting for the kitchen sink to fill up--until the sound of water hitting the floor ushers me into a third task--mopping up the overflow. All because I won't stand patiently at the sink for two minutes of inactivity.

Suffice it to say that the world doesn't move fast enough for me. Nor does my husband. Or the mailman. Or the dog.

Or God.

There, I've said it. True confession time. Sometimes I even get impatient with God.

Ever feel this way?

We pray, and pray, and pray. We pray for good things--healing, spiritual growth, salvation for a loved one, restoration of a marriage, financial provision, a breakthrough in a relationship. And nothing happens. "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day,"  seems to fly in the face of our urgent, impatient prayers.

Is God asleep? Does he care? Does it do any good to pray? Is God ever late? Slack? Slow?

No. Yes. Yes. No. No. No.

No, he's not asleep: "He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:3-4).

Yes, he cares: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

Yes, it helps to pray: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:19).

No, God is never late: "the LORD says: 'In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you,'" (Isaiah 49:8).

No, God is not slack: "The Lord is not slack in keeping his promise, as some understand slackness," (1 Peter 3:9).

No, God is not slow: "the Lord will hasten it in its timing" (Isaiah 60:22).


If you, like me, sometimes struggle with the Lord's timing, will you join me in resting and trusting?  In the fullness of time, God will hurry to accomplish his perfect will.

And we can rest in this.

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