Delayed Answers

Delayed Answers
Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” —1 Samuel 1: 11
Hannah wanted a son in order that she might be delivered from the incessant vexing of Peninnah, her husband’s other wife. Day after day she begged for release from this woman’s torment. But God wanted more. He wanted a man to deliver His whole nation from their moral corruption. So He allowed the daily agony to mold and shape Hannah, and withheld the answer to her prayers until He brought her into harmony with His desire. And through her son, Samuel, spiritual revival came. Maybe God has delayed the answers to some of your prayers. Maybe you have waited so long you feel desperate. If that is where you are, it’s time to begin interceding before the Lord. As you do, God may astound you by the changes He brings in your attitudes as He shapes and moves you to that place of harmony with Him.
**Don’t be discouraged when God delays the answers to your prayers.
Usually God has so much more that He wants to do and you just haven’t been brought to that understanding yet. The moment you realize that, you will see God’s hand at work.
Father, bring us into perfect harmony with Your purpose and Your desires. Work in us, Lord, those changes that are necessary until You bring us to that place where You can work and accomplish Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.