A book for seasons of waiting, reflection and renewed hope.
Can God Use Delay? · Raphael O. Ajiboye
YES! GOD USES DELAY
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YES! GOD USES DELAY
Are you still pondering the question, "Does God use delays?" I am eager to provide you with a swift response in this chapter and demonstrate it in two distinct ways! We can clearly understand how God utilizes delays.
The undeniable truth is this: Yes, yes, and yes, forever—God uses delays! Let this realization fill you with joy as you reflect on all the delays you've experienced and wonder, "Could God truly use these delays?" The resounding answer is YES!
Allow me to address more of your inquiries. God, will you use my delayed birth? Yes! God, will you use my delayed payment? Yes! God, will you use my delayed marriage, delayed job, delayed admission? The answers are yes and yes! Imagine a pastor inquiring, "God, will you employ my delay to nurture a greater number of souls in my pastoral duties?" The answer is a heartfelt yes, dear pastor!
You might be wondering, "I am a Nigerian, Pastor Raphael, and you expect me to believe that God will use this evil in our nation? Do you want me to
believe that God will work through the current events? Pastor Raphael, do you truly believe God will utilize the fact that my business was burned down? Will He use the fact that my store was looted by hoodlums? Will He use the fact that I am drowning in debt and have experienced immense loss?" The answer is a resounding YES.
Believe it, for God has a purpose even in the midst of challenging times.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is disheartening to witness the unfortunate state of our nation, Nigeria, and numerous other countries. We all yearn for a better Nigeria and flourishing nations. I am grateful that you are taking the time to read these words today. I want to share heavenly news with you. While I hope the government fulfills its promises and aids you in your time of need, I also hope that the leaders of our nation embrace empathy and justice in their decisions.
In the midst of these challenges, I want you to remember that your God can turn this setback into an opportunity for your good. Despite this evil setback, this delay, and the hardships you are facing, God can transform it all for your benefit. It requires daring to believe and fixing your gaze upon Him, even in this difficult season. He holds the power to guide the right people, control the timing and seasons, and raise individuals specifically for your sake. Now that you understand that God utilizes delay, the question arises: how does He use it?
A man once inquired: my salary arrives late, my wife experiences delayed pregnancy, my relationships and job opportunities are held up, all due to my past mistakes. Delays caused by my errors and even those orchestrated by Satan working through people and circumstances. There are also instances where I can discern that these delays are part of God's divine plan. So, how does God utilize such delays? The answer lies in two fundamental ways:
He is the God who connects the dots!
He is the God who specializes in restoration.
CONNECTING THE DOTS
What does this phrase even mean? How does God connect the dots? Allow me to explain, my friends.
No one appreciates delay, not even God Himself. We all wonder: why can't I have it now? Why must I wait? What is the connection between my patience and eventual fulfillment? These questions often plague our minds because delays tend to evoke negative feelings. However, as you grapple with these questions and navigate through the delays in your life, it's crucial to remember that God is connecting the dots! The first method through which God utilizes your past, present, and future delays is by CONNECTING THE DOTS.
In the Bible, as we explored in earlier chapters, we discovered that God frequently employs delay. Some instances are clear, while others remain a mystery. You might wonder, "Why did God postpone sending Jesus? Why did Abraham have to wait for years before Isaac's arrival? And why was
David, after being anointed, subjected to persecution before ascending to the throne?" All these we saw in earlier chapters and we can see how God connected their dots.
If He orchestrated such plans for people who lived before Jesus was born, died, and resurrected, you should find greater hope in your own circumstances. I urge you, dear friends, to revisit the earlier chapters. Doing so will not only help you endure your moments of delay but also enable you to rejoice as God connects the dots of your life. Perhaps, these connections might be character building, it might be exposure to knowledge, it might be relationship building, or capacity building. It might even be to protect you or to deepen your intimacy with Jesus.
Whatever purpose God has in connecting these dots, trust Him unwaveringly and remain resilient. Embrace the delay, for it is merely a prelude to a more glorious chapter in your life.
It is easy to accept delays when you can pinpoint reasons behind them, apportioning blames if necessary. But what if there's no clear cause for the setback? Can you still trust in the Lord Jesus? Consider the story of John's birth, as recounted in the Bible.
The scripture states, 'Elizabeth had no child, because she was barren.' This phrasing might sound peculiar—'no child because she was barren.' It lacks
the expected logic; one might assume the Scripture would attribute her barrenness to some sin or wrongdoing. Yet, it doesn't. My friend, in moments
of inexplicable delay, there's no need to tirelessly search for a reason. Simply continue living in accordance with your faith, doing what you believe the Lord wants you to do. Just as He intervened for Elizabeth, God will always manifest in your life.
Do not forget what we have shared. If God is involved or aware of a delay, which He allows for a Christian because He is aware of all that happens to them, just know that He is good even in the midst of the delay! God remains good even during delays; never forget that! Remember, you also read about the Apostle Paul in the previous chapter. Why did God allow Paul, the Apostle of grace, to persecute the church for so long before He appeared to him? He could have intervened at Paul's first attempt, what do you think? Yet, consider this delay by God; we affirm He is good anyway. Only He can connect the dots, just as He did for Apostle Paul, transforming him into the Apostle of grace who revealed to us all we need to know about God and grace! The earthly church is growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ because of Apostle Paul. Only God can connect such dots and mould someone into such a significant figure.
In life, delays caused by both man and nature are inevitable, and often, we find ourselves powerless in the face of these circumstances, a consequence of Adam's fall. However, even amid these delays, God still connects
the dots of our lives, turning what seems like setbacks into blessings.
Even delays that stem from our own actions, be it ignorance or unbelief, should not deter us. We must dare to believe that God connects the dots even in our ignorants and unbeliefs, He's our loving father!
Wake up every day with one assurance of the good news that God does connect the dots from where you are to where you should be and must be. No delay can stop you! Every form of delay should make you happy because now you know, God connects the dots by building you, correcting you, causing you to learn of Him, connecting you to people, and causing you to learn from people. My friend, no matter the delay, no matter who or what caused it, I want you to come to the place where you live knowing that God is connecting the dots!
In fact, every delay should fill you with joy. Now, you understand that God connects the dots by shaping you, guiding you, allowing you to learn from Him, and introducing you to people who are integral to your journey.
He is putting that one step to the other step. God is putting the line upon line, causing lines to fall in place for you! Your delay has an end; it's a glorious end!
When you know this, you will not give up on life! You will take steps daily towards all you can do now or all you're told to do now.
GOD SPECIALIZES IN RESTORATION
Have you ever wondered about restoration and its profound connection to God's divine plan? Restoration isn't merely a way for God to alleviate delays; it's a meticulous process, a masterpiece crafted by the Creator Himself. When God connects the dots of our lives, the ultimate outcome is restoration! And God's restoration surpasses mere retrieval; it transcends the realms of what was once considered "missed," "lost," or even delayed. His restoration isn't just a return to the status quo; it's an enhancement, an elevation in both quality and quantity.
However, human efforts at restoration often fall short. Imagine buying a new shirt with anticipation of wearing it the next day, only to give it to a tailor who botches the stitching. The end result no longer resembles the original; its quality has been touched. They can't even restore all you lost both in quality and quantity.
But God does! He specializes in restoring both quality and quantity, a billionfold, of all that has faced setbacks or delays in your life. It's time to trust Him! Have you suffered a loss? God restores, in both quality and quantity, a billion times over!
There is only one exception to God's restoration: He will not provide a billion wives or husbands for you just because you lost your spouse and are now delayed in experiencing married life. Friends, that's a definite no-no! However, in the next person you choose to marry, God will bless you abundantly through them—restoring to you not only passion and affection in great quality but also in immense quantity.
This truth applies to all delayed relationships. Stop fretting over thoughts like "she's gone" or "he's gone despite all I have done!" Instead, turn to God and simply say, "Lord, restore!" In fact, for all the delays you've experienced or will encounter, learn to align your heart with God's plan for restoration by declaring, "LORD, RESTORE!
But why should you say "Lord, restore"? It's crystal clear that we have a God who specializes in restoration, but He also respects your choices! Do you desire restoration? If your answer is yes, then vocalize it! Just as when you sought salvation, you declared your faith in the Lord Jesus who died and resurrected for you, and voilà! You received salvation! The same principle applies to restoration—it's all about aligning your will with the Lord Jesus! God is willing to work wonders for you, but He expects you to be open and receptive to His blessings!
The Scripture says;
"But this is a people robbed and plundered; All of them are snared in holes, And they are hidden in prison houses; They are for prey, and no one delivers; For plunder, and no one says, “Restore!”
(Isaiah 42:22 NKJV)
When you experience a delay, it feels as if time and opportunities are slipping away. It doesn't matter who is at fault; what truly matters is, what do you desire now? Do you want this delay to define your entire existence? Do you want it to dictate your pace, or would you rather retreat and live beneath your potential? Alternatively, do you wish to break free and declare, "Lord, RESTORE!"?
In the time of Isaiah, restoration was within reach for anyone, regardless of the cause, if only they had uttered the word "Restore!" Yet, according to the Bible, no one dared to speak it! For those who are saved, the Lord Jesus proclaimed restoration for all when He rose from the dead over two thousand years ago. Today, you can affirm His work by saying, "Lord, restore that help, restore that health, restore that opportunity, restore that scholarship, restore that home, restore that business, restore that job, restore that visa... Lord, restore”. When you talk like this every day with praise on your lips, then you can look forward to a better quality and quantity of all that was delayed. My friend, God uses delay, by connecting the dots, causing restoration for every man who believes the Lord Jesus died and resurrected for him.
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