Episode 56: Why Does God Delay?

In Podcast Episode 56, “Why Does God Delay?,” Kim discusses this question we all have asked, especially during the most challenging seasons of life. Since this podcast is being recorded in the first month of COVID-19 in the States, many people are asking this question daily. From scripture, what are some of the reasons we see God will delay?

 

TO ALLOW CONSEQUENCES OF BAD DECISIONS

 

The primary scripture text for this episode is Judges 9:22-57, with the focal scriptures 22-23.

 

22 After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years, 23 God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted. 

 

One of the most challenging questions in this life will always be: “Why Does God Delay?” Each time I read our scriptures for this podcast, that is the question I always envision the Israelites asking.

 

The people of Shechem chose an evil leader just “because” he was their relative, and the Israelite nation reaped the poorly sown seeds. Three years under the tyrannical rule of Abimelech must have felt like 3 decades.

 

TO SHOW GOD’S GLORY AND TO POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS

 

We have probably asked the question a time or two or three hundred (probably in the last 3 weeks).

 

Even two of Jesus’ best friends had the same question.

 

John 11 is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Listen to the “Why Does God Delay?” tone in both Martha and Mary: 

• 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 
• 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

 

40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” 45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. (John 11:40-45)

 

TO HUMBLE US, PROVE OUR CHARACTER, MEASURE OUR OBEDIENCE, TEACH US TO TRUST HIM ALONE

 

 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. 3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 For all these forty years your clothes didn’t wear out, and your feet didn’t blister or swell. 5 Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good. (Deuteronomy 8:2-5)

 

BECAUSE HE IS MERCIFUL AND WANTS NO ONE TO PERISH BUT ALL TO REPENT AND SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM IN HEAVEN

 

8 But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. (2 Peter 3:8-10)

Our NEW Facebook Group is devoted to providing a place for us to encourage each other through all the seasons of life. Follow the provided link to request admittance into “Encouraging Others in Loving Jesus”—https://www.facebook.com/groups/encouragingothersinlovingjesus/ Feel free to invite others who will be good encouragers and/or need encouragement to follow Jesus.

 

Would you like to take a deeper dive into the book of Joshua and learn more about the Israelite story, join Kim as she teaches “Finding Courage for Life’s Battles: Life Lessons from the Book of Joshua.”

 

To take her FREE 3-Day Online Bible Study entitled “Let  God Transform U through His Word: Why Is Personal Bible Study So Important to Your Christian Life?”.

Check out Kim's website at https://gettinghealthyall4hisglory.com for blog posts and her PDF Printable collection.

 

Remember, “It’s Always a Trust & Obey Kinda Day!”

 

If you have questions or comments or would like to learn more about how to follow Jesus, please email Kim at gettinghealthyall4hisglory@gmail.com.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

 

1-800-273-8255

 

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/