Prayer, Praise and Promises 6/28

Author: Warren Wiersbe
Source: Prayer, Praise and Promises
Scripture Reference: Psalm 69:30 Romans 8:28 Psalm 70:1-5

Hurry Up, God!

Read Psalm 70:1-5

Has God ever been slow in your life? He was in David's. This undoubtedly was one of the psalms written when David was being harassed by King Saul. So he cries out, "Lord, why don't You do something? You're being awfully slow."

Have you ever pondered the delays of God? He is never in a hurry, but once He starts to work, watch out! He patiently accomplishes His work. David pleads, "Make haste, make haste" (v. 1). He repeats his plea in verse 5: "I am poor and needy; make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay." If right now it seems as though God is tarrying instead of working, if it seems as though He is delaying instead of acting, what should you do? Seek Him and wait on Him and love Him. Verse 4 says it beautifully: "Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; and let those who love Your salvation say continually, 'Let God be magnified!"' We've seen that phrase before. David, when he was sinking, said, "I . . . will magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Ps. 69:30).

Here's a good lesson for us. When God is not moving as rapidly as we think He should, when our timetables do not coincide, what should we do? Rejoice in Him, love Him and magnify Him. Let Him worry about the timetable. God is always working, and we know that all things are working together for good (Rom. 8:28). But He waits for the right time to reveal His victories. Let Him watch the clock.

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God's delays are a part of your character-building process. The next time God gives you a delay, encourage yourself by remembering that He never stops working for you, and He knows when and how to help you. Submit to His timetable and His care.

Psalm 70:1-5 (New International Version)

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

¹ Hasten, O God, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

² May those who seek my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.

³ May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
turn back because of their shame.

⁴ But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"Let God be exalted!"

⁵ Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.