Morning, December 9
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Isaiah 30:18
"Therefore will the Lord wait that he may be gracious unto you."
Isaiah 30:18
God often delays in answering prayer. We have several instances of this
in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel
until near the dawn of day--he had to wrestle all night for it. The
poor woman of Syrophoenicia was answered not a word for a long while.
Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be
taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken
away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be
sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy,
and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker
hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons
peculiar to himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to
show his power and his sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has
a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our
profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be
more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire,
and that if he keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more
clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the
mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something
wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord
is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou
mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting
simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile
that he may the more fully display the riches of his grace to thee at
last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately
answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall
be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee
silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.