For individuals grappling with various challenges in their lives, it can be difficult to believe in this truth. There is a prevalent misconception that for some, God does not promise anything, and for many, God promises but does not fulfill. This especially holds true when problems persist for years, causing people to doubt that the Lord fulfills His promises. However, despite the countless challenges he encountered in his ministry, Paul emphasizes that “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the word ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20). If God does not delay His promise, then what causes the delay?
The Second Coming
We are familiar with the widespread speculations surrounding the second coming of Jesus. Rumours about the timing and location of His arrival abound. Some people invest in land in certain areas with the belief that His second coming will occur nearby, while others travel great distances to wait at specific locations widely believed to be the site of His return. Additionally, certain individuals attempt to link historical events to determine the timing and location of His second coming. In the midst of these fervent pursuits, the true purpose of His return – the judgment – is often overlooked.
Before the judgment day, Jesus implores people to have faith in Him and in His teachings. It is regrettable that many choose to believe in anything but His word, embracing falsehoods and disregarding His promises, particularly those pertaining to the Judgement Day. By placing their trust in deception, they lose sight of the significance of His second coming and lead lives devoid of accountability. Those who place their trust in Jesus will also uphold His revelations about His return.
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:36 (NIV)
Jesus came to this world in the flesh, taking on human form rather than appearing as God. During this time, God did not reveal the schedule of the second coming to His Son, as Jesus was focused on sharing His Sonship with us. Despite becoming human, Jesus, through obedience to His Father, regained His Lordship even unto death. Some question Jesus by asking how He could not know the time and place of His second coming as He is God. However, speculating about Jesus’s knowledge of God’s secrets is futile, as God is beyond human comprehension. It’s crucial to understand that when Jesus stated that He did not know the time and place of the second coming, it was inappropriate for God to disclose such secrets. This is because God made His Son equal to any human, and revealing those secrets to Jesus would require them to be disclosed to all humanity.
Delay Causes Dis-Belief
If our prayers go unanswered and the waiting period extends, many people lose faith in God. There are reasons, known only to Him, why God doesn’t answer all prayers. This can lead people to doubt His promises about the second coming. To overcome this, we must understand who is truly responsible for delaying the process. As Paul mentioned, our troubles are light and momentary in the grand scheme of God.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
Unfortunately, the external acclaim we seek does not outweigh the burden of our problems. Our troubles linger heavily throughout our lives. Our fear and anxiety only serve to reinforce and perpetuate our problems. Instead of turning to God when we first encounter a problem, we anxiously divulge our troubles to everyone we know.
When we confide in those who do not know or follow God, they may feel overwhelmed, assuming we seek their support and advice to overcome our distressing circumstances. As a result, the varied suggestions from those we involve in our problems contradict each other, adding to our torment. It is as if we easily ignite a fire in the forest, but struggle to extinguish it. Similarly, we inflate our problems within ourselves, and when they spiral out of control, we become perplexed and blame God for His perceived delay in fulfilling His promises.
The man who was invalid arrived at a place where God’s grace was at work, seeking healing. However, despite the offer from God to address his problem, he fixated solely on the method rather than trusting in God. Instead of relying on God for deliverance, he turned to others for assistance. As a consequence, his condition persisted, and the duration of his invalidity extended for another thirty-eight years, causing him to doubt God’s provision.
During times of stress, do we turn to God for support or do we become fixated on the material provisions He has granted us? Does our focus lean towards the medicine itself, or do we acknowledge the provider behind it?
God Does Not Delay But Waits
In light of the aforementioned, it is not God who delays, but rather He patiently awaits our turn to Him, providing us ample opportunities to seek His presence. Upon our return, He will alleviate our problems, rendering them transient and manageable. When Jesus encountered the infirm man at Bethesda, the problem became momentary and also less burdensome, as Jesus instructed him to bear the problematic mat that had restrained him for 38 years.
God is close to the brokenhearted, ready to mend their hearts in an instant. Do we perceive His presence, or are we still preoccupied with our troubles and the individuals around us?
Likewise, anticipating worldly blessings and answers from God can foster disbelief in the second coming of Jesus. Additionally, the considerable delay of His second coming can lead people to doubt the words of Jesus. As a result, they may forget about the judgment day and prioritize actions that do not please God, but rather satisfy their own desires.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Peter teaches us the true reason for the delay and encourages us to turn to God, regardless of the time wasted on pursuits other than seeking Him. Therefore, let us utilise the given time period to make our problems light and momentary.
The Jordan Valley 
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