28 – Christian – “Why is God taking so long to answer my prayers?”
““Michael, I feel like God is not listening to me. Why is He taking so long to answer my prayers?” ”
The Discipline of Waiting: God's Refining Work in Our Lives
Brothers and sisters, have you surrendered everything to God, confessed your sins, and turned away from destructive habits, yet still find yourself feeling left out of God’s blessings? Do you wonder if you're missing something, if you’re somehow failing in your walk with the Lord? Today’s audio message to Christian is about a critical spiritual discipline: waiting upon God.
We often have unmet expectations with God, especially in our relationships and life circumstances. We think things should go a certain way, that our prayers should be answered immediately. But God’s timing is so rarely our timing. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). He most often uses waiting to refine us, to deepen our faith, and to prepare us for heaven, His purpose in our life and even the blessings He has in store for us. I have seen God do astonishing work in my life and heart, so many times, in the time period between and prayer or promise and it’s attainment, and I have come to understand that is what Father is after, far more than our answered prayers.
One of the most important, yet most difficult, things to do is to wait on God. Psalm 32:8 offers crucial guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.” Don’t be like the wild stallion, charging ahead, always seeking the next shiny object. Don’t be like the stubborn mule, refusing to move. God often uses difficult circumstances, even painful relationships, as a “bit and bridle” to restrain us, to control our impulsive nature, and to teach us patience.
Consider the lives of Moses, Jacob, Joseph, David, and even Paul. They all endured long periods of waiting, of testing, of refinement. They already knew God, yet He allowed them to walk through seasons of hardship, seasons that ultimately prepared them for the fullness of His purpose. God used these periods of waiting to do His very best work in their hearts.
We must learn the practice of patience. Psalm 27:14 encourages us: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Isaiah 49:23 promises, “Those who hopefully wait for me will not be disappointed.” Cling to these verses, repeat them to yourself when darkness descends, and doubts arise. Remember, God knows when you are ready to receive His blessings. He will not give you something that will corrupt you, before your spiritual foundation is strong.
Hebrews 6:12-15 reminds us to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what God has promised. Don't grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). This waiting is not passive; it's an active trust in God, a continual surrender to His will, and an unwavering belief in His promises. Remember this, if God has you waiting on Him for a promise, He has you in bondage to Him, connected to Him, seeking Him, and isolated in Him from untold trouble you could end up in, either from this world, or your flesh. Wait patiently on the Lord!
