Dealing with Delays

“‘But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, ⁴ Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. ⁵ The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.'” Exodus 7:3-5 (ESV)

After God announced that He would elevate Moses in the eyes of Pharaoh, the troubling reality of deliverance delays set in. God confirmed that He would continue to harden Pharaoh’s heart and that in spite of multiply signs and wonders, Pharaoh would not listen to Moses. That would de-motivate the chosen deliverer of Israel and generate a significant level of frustration.

Can you relate to how Moses must have felt? Can you identify a time in your life when you experienced a delay that made no sense? You may have wondered why God would allow such a delay. Moses combated a host of delays embedded in the miraculous plagues of Egypt initiated by God. Each time, Pharaoh would soften up for a moment and announce the release of those enslaved by Egypt, and then quickly go back on his word. Moses had to ride the tumultuous waves of inconsistency.

God has a divine purpose behind every delay in life. Though our view is limited and our understanding is somewhat finite, God has an infinite purpose behind each delay you face in this life. God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns, even when your circumstances do not line up with your understanding. Nothing will thwart God’s will and nothing will prevent the purposes of God from being fulfilled. Rest in His sovereignty. God is working out His plan in the midst of the delays you experience.

Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 32:  Exodus 7-9)

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell