Vital signs- Friday, November 19th, 2021

Sometimes God Says "Not Yet'

If you're discouraged because of God's delay in answering your prayers, understand the delay is NOT a denial. Just because the answer hasn't come - YET - that doesn't mean God isn't going to answer or that he's forgotten you or that he doesn't care about you. It simply means "not yet!" Part of becoming spiritually mature is learning the difference between "no" and "not yet," between a denial and a delay. The Bible tells us, "He who is coming will come and will not delay." (Hebrews 10:37 NIV) God's delay may be a test of your patience. Anybody can be patient once. And, most people can be patient twice. And, a lot of us can be patient three times. So God tests our patience over and over and over. Why? So he can see how patient you are? No! He does it so you can see how patient you are. So you'll know what's inside you, and you'll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know he is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed. If you're discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience.