Delayed but not Denied

The manifestation of a promise of God may be delayed but His Word tells us it is not denied (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Have you prayed for a child for a LOONNGG time? Do you feel like God is ignoring your request or is somehow holding back the one thing that you desire with all of your being? Today, I want to encourage you to not give up while you wait.

Take a look at the Bible’s account about the prophet Daniel and the delay he experienced in the manifestation of his requests to God (Daniel 10:1-12). Daniel was a man of boldness; he was not afraid to pray and trust in God, even when it was illegal for him to do so.  Daniel prayed earnestly—he had “set his heart,” that is, devoted himself, to this thing he was praying about.

The Scriptures give the account of how the prophet lamented for 21 days, not understanding why he had not yet heard from God. He mourned during that time, not eating, not anointing himself. Is it possible that the waiting had become a distraction to Daniel? Could it be that in the waiting his focus had changed from the faithfulness of God to the troublesome circumstances surrounding him? Not necessarily. There could be something else working behind the scenes to cause the delay in manifestation.

When God, When?

Do you sometimes wonder WHEN God’s promises will manifest in your life? Delays are a strategic tactic of the devil. It’s during the delays that he seeks to fill your mind with doubt. He wants you to ever so slowly lose your trust in God’s willingness to answer your prayer.  He wants you to become hopeless, thinking that having a baby will never happen for you. delayed but not denied

The devil wants you to believe that God’s promises of fertility are not true for you. He wants you distracted, stressed out, and anxious about your future rather than resting in knowing that God’s promises are true for you.

But, when you look up and see Jesus in the midst of your situation, you see more clearly that He is right there with you. He’s loving you and wanting to give you the desires of your heart. In Daniel’s case, when he looked up and saw God’s messenger, the messenger acknowledged, “I have come in response to your words” (Daniel 10:12 NASB). He said he had been dispatched to bring the answer as soon as God heard Daniel’s request.

What had caused the delay? It wasn’t anything that Daniel had done. It wasn’t anything God had done. Evil spiritual forces had interrupted the dispatch and caused the delay. Have you considered that spiritual forces are causing the delay in the manifestation of God’s promises in your life?  The delay is meant to make you give up, to become hopeless, and to no longer expect that God’s promises will come to pass in your life.

The manifestation of a promise of God may be delayed but His Word tells us it is not denied (2 Corinthians 1:20). Click To Tweet

How can you deal with this delay?

The best way is to continue to hold on to His promises by speaking them daily. Speak them with gratitude, as if they have already been granted to you. As you speak them, you build your faith (Romans 10:17). When you speak them, your mind stays focused on Jesus and His loving power instead of the turmoil of your circumstances. As you speak them, you’ll find it easier to let go of the problem and let God solve it.

It’s important to realize that God loves you. Then it’s easier to believe He has heard your prayer. And you’ll know that He wants His promises to manifest in your life. While you wait, it’s critical to trust in God’s faithfulness and to never give up on His promises.

The spiritual aspect of infertility always needs to be addressed. So remember, delayed does not mean denied when it comes to God’s promises. 

Helpful Scriptures for the Enduring the Delay

While you wait, here are some additional scriptures to consider, speak, and believe.

You are loved: John 17:23b ESV – that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.

God doesn’t withhold His goodness: Psalm 84:11 HNV– For the LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.

You’ve been made blameless; infertility is not a punishment: 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV– “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

Trust Him: Jeremiah 17:7 NLT“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” Mark 11:22-23 NIV – “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

God’s word is true and final: Psalm 119:89 NLT – Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Matthew 24:35 NIV – Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

It’s a spiritual battle: Ephesians 6:12 NASB– “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”.

Where’s your focus while you wait—on your problem or on Jesus?

 

23 thoughts on “Delayed but not Denied

  1. Thanks so much Evangeline for this post. I was feeling so down thinking about how long my delay has been, dwelling on the fact that it has been an 8 year delay and how my 40th birthday is only 6 months away. Thank you for reminding me of the evil that is working at me to steal my joy and make me doubt.

    1. You’re welcome Jennifer! I think God has us in synch somehow. 🙂 The day that I wrote this post, I was driving to a meeting. God prompted me to turn around, go back home, and put the post up as soon as possible. I think that was just another one of God’s loving ways to reassure you to find rest in His promises and trust that His Word really is true for YOU. Delayed does not mean denied!!! Be like Daniel and look up. Look up to Jesus while you wait and hear His words and be strengthened. Be like Mary and don’t get distracted. Rest at Jesus’ feet, hear yourself speak His Word daily, and continue to build your faith (Romans 10:17).

    2. Just when I thought nah this is too much, I’m throwing in the towel. I came across.

      May God almighty bless the author and may this message reach people who need it.

  2. Found this on accident 3 years after you wrote it and I’m in shock because it just spoke right to me. Told me just what i needed to be reminded of. God is so good! All praise unto Him.

    1. Hi Anne! I believe your finding this post was not “on accident”. 🙂
      I’m so glad the Lord led you to it at just the right time that He knew you needed the encouragement. Blessings to you!

  3. A friend of mine said that the Bible says “destiny can be delayed but no denied ” how true is that.pls I need a bible reference that says that if he is correct

    1. Jacob, thanks for asking about this. May I suggest that you read the scriptures referenced in this post, especially Daniel 10:1-12 and 2 Corinthians 5:21? I hope you find those to be helpful.

  4. Thank you for being obedient to God upon posting this. You have helped me and I am sure plenty of others. Bless you Love.

  5. Thank you Jesus for using your child to remind me of your word. Of a truth, delay is not denial and I know that it’s time for you to make yourself manifest in my life.
    Thank you so much Evangeline for this post, God bless you!!!

  6. Thanks for this encouraging word that I so needed. ( Not to give up hope on God’s promise to me of conceiving a child)

  7. Yes, Delayed not Denied! I shall not give in to the devil’s pressure for me to give up. I’ll wait upon the Lord for the fulfilment of His promises: they’re yes and amen..

  8. thank you for your blog. As I was looking for scriptures to confirm what the Lord had spoken to me to share with a group of leaders about delayed, but not denied, I came across your blog and saw the scriptures that you referenced in Daniel 10 and 2 Corinthians 1:20, I can use to confirm the word that God shared with me prophetically. Thank you for your obedience to God. God bless you!

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