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 Syrophoenician woman was not answered with a word for a long while.

Paul pleaded with the Lord three times that the thorn in the flesh might be taken from him. He received no assurance that it would be taken away, but instead a promise that God’s grace would be sufficient for him. If you have been knocking at the gate of mercy and have received no answer, shall I tell you why the mighty Maker has not opened the door and let you in?

Our Father has His own reasons for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, so that people may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently, the delay is for our profit. You are perhaps kept waiting so that your desires may become more fervent.

God knows that delay will intensify and increase desire; that if He keeps you waiting, you will see your necessity more clearly and will seek more earnestly; and that you will prize the mercy all the more for its long delay. There may also be something wrong in you that needs to be removed before the joy of the Lord is given.

Perhaps your views of the Gospel plan are confused, or you may be placing some little reliance on yourself, instead of trusting simply and entirely in the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes you wait a while so that He may more fully display the riches of His grace to you at last.

Your prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered, they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while will be fulfilled to your delight and satisfaction. Do not let despair make you silent, but continue persistent in earnest supplication.