When God Delays

Isaiah 36 and 37 relate the story of King Hezekiah and the people of Judah who are being threatened and invaded by the Assyrian army.  The attackers are mocking God, making false promises to the people and generally striking fear in every heart.  Garments are torn in distress, sackcloth is donned - the king and his people are in dire straits.  Hezekiah sends his assistants to the prophet Isaiah asking him to pray on their behalf:  And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz. They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. It may be that the LORD your God  [emphasis mine] will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the LORD your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’”  (Isaiah 37:2-4)  


God hears and answers Isaiah's prayer:  Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land. (Isaiah 37:7)  This is only a temporary reprieve, the threats and mockery continue.  This time, however, Hezekiah himself goes to God in prayer.  And this time, he is seeking the LORD our God.  Isaiah delivers the word of the Lord:  Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word that the LORD has spoken concerning him. . . . (Is. 37:21) This time there is not just a reprieve, but victory.  Was Hezekiah not trusting in God the first time?  Did he believe Isaiah's faith was somehow "better" than his own?  God waited for Hezekiah to come on his own, to seek the Lord, to cry out from his his heart on behalf of his people.


Granted, this is an ancient event but the reactions and tendencies of Hezekiah are all too relevant.  When have we ever relied on someone else's faith instead of going to God ourselves?  God only asks that we come to him just as we are:  weak faith, doubts . . . whatever.  Just come to him, seek his face, pour out our fears, our prayers, and leave it in his loving hands.  As in Hezekiah's story, God doesn't ignore others praying on our behalf or in our stead; but perhaps the fullness of his answer is waiting for our realization that God wants us to trust him and come to him in whatever state or condition we find ourselves.  We don't have to meet a certain standard before we can come before our heavenly Father.  Because of Jesus, we can come boldly before the throne of grace; not because of our goodness, worth or righteousness but because of Jesus'.  GRACE.


We don't have to seek out a "holier" friend to pray for us.  We have a friend who is already doing just that.  Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Heb. 7:25)  Out of the deep desire of our loving Father that we enter into relationship with him, God may allow our circumstances to be the very thing that finally brings us to come to him in prayer and humility.  Remember the story of Lazarus?  Upon hearing of the illness and death of his friend, Jesus delayed in going to Bethany because of his love for this dear family.  (John 11)  He knew the greater purpose to be accomplished, the more glorious demonstration of God's love.  So, he waited.  


Only God knows how Lazarus' sisters were being prepared in their hearts to receive this love - how their spiritual eyes were readied to view the truth behind the miracle they witnessed.  Nothing is wasted in God's kingdom.  He is faithful to complete the work he has begun in us.  When he delays, when he answers our prayers in part, don't lose heart.  Know that God's ways are perfect and beyond what we can see, know or understand.  Lean on him with all your heart, all your faith, no matter how "weak" you perceive it it be. It is enough.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  (Proverbs 3:5-6)