Topic: Delayed Promise
Text: Hebrews 11
Key verse: What a record all of these have won by their faith! Yet they did not receive what God had promised
There are times when l have prayed, fasted, and cried to God, standing on the promises in the word and l didn\’t get what l asked for. Yet, l knew that God still loved me and wanted me to have the best in life. At that time when l was in the midst of the battle watching my loved ones going through pain and passing on to glory, l had so many questions to ask and no one around me had the right answers to give, and just like Mary and Martha said when Jesus arrived after the death of Lazarus, l knew that if Jesus had shown up earlier the story would have been different.
As we live by faith trusting in the power and grace of God, l have learned to make room in my heart for the will of God to prevail over my desires. God is sovereign and has a plan and a season when everything must happen, we are privileged to have an understanding about some of the issues, but sometimes we have no idea what God is working out, nevertheless, faith trusts God to do in the end, what is best for us.
because God had decided on an even better plan for us. His purpose was that only in company with us would they be made perfect. verse 40
God wants us to have abundant life but sometimes it does not work out that way, but in the midst of the chaos he still has a better plan.
Jesus knew Lazarus was sick, but God had a better plan for his resurrection. When Jesus arrived at Bethany after his death, his sisters didn’t love Jesus less, neither did they lose faith in him, in fact, Mary worshipped at his feet and Martha still confessed her faith in his ability to get whatever he wanted from God.
“But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask him for.” John 11: 22
Mary arrived where Jesus was, and as soon as she saw him, she fell at his feet. “Lord,” she said, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died!” John 11:32
When we walk by faith and have done all we must do, we leave the outcome to God, knowing that he has a purpose for our lives.
We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him,[a] those whom he has called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
When l agreed with God, that l wanted his will to be done in my mother\’s life, l released her to the love and sovereignty of God, immediately in that hospital room, she breathed deeply and gave up the ghost. She had peace with God, and l had peace in my heart.
The tears flowed freely from my eyes and they still sometimes do, but not tears of regret or guilt, nor of anger against God, but l simply miss her. She was a great mum to me, l loved her so much, but it was her time to rest from the pain and hurt the world had served her. I understood that and embraced it.
Though Lazarus experienced the resurrection, he still died again. We must be ready to say like the Hebrew children in Babylon….. If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.*
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:17-18
God has the final say in every situation. We must not fail to give room to his will in all our prayers.
may your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt.6:10
We will end this series by knowing that sometimes we are unable to receive what we have prayed for because the devil is in opposition like a strong-armed man. Ignorance of spiritual warfare tools and strategies can prevent us from getting what has been promised. Before we give up on any issue, our marriage, our children, our health, or business, we must be ready to fight for what is ours.
It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; 5 we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ 2 Cor. 10:3-5
Are you ready to fight for what is promised? You will surely win because you are more than a conqueror.
Don’t give up, do not surrender to less than what is promised, do your part, pray, believe the truth, speak and act in faith, then stand still to see God fight for you.
Blessings.
Roses&Thorns
