Jeremiah 42:7 - Homiletics

The answer to prayer delayed.

I. THE FACT . Ten days elapsed before Jeremiah was able to give an answer to the people. When Christ was asked to give his aid at the wedding feast where the wine ran short, he refused to do anything immediately ( John 2:4 ); and when summoned to the sick bed of Lazarus, "he abode at that time two days in the place where he was" ( John 11:6 ). We must, therefore, expect that a similar delay may sometimes attend the answer of our prayers. Perhaps the interval will be much longer. We have cast our bread upon the waters, and it will not appear till after many days. We should learn, therefore, that prayer does not fail because the response is not immediate. Whatever be the delay, we may be sure that to a true prayer in Christ's Name the right answer will come at the right time. God is not dilatory. He will never wait beyond the very best season for acting.

II. THE CAUSE . Much of this is mysterious, and we must learn to accept the mysteries of Providence with faith in the unfailing love of God. But some grounds for the delay of God's answers to our prayers may be discerned and should be considered to check our impatience.

1 . There is a season foreverything. God will watch for the fitting opportunity, and send his blessing when it will be most profitable.

2 . The fitness of God's answer to prayer depends on our condition. There are things which would injure us as we are. God waits to be gracious, waits till we are in a fit state to receive his grace.

3 . Some things given as the answer to prayer require time for development. At the beginning of Daniel's prayer the angel was sent, but some time elapsed before the prophet received his message ( Daniel 9:23 ). God may set in train the actions which are in answer to our prayer immediately the prayer is made, and we may only be waiting for that result which could not come quicker.

4 . Meanwhile God tests our faith by delaying the answer to our prayer. The time is not lost. It is profitably spent in the trial and culture of our own souls. So it is with the greatest blessing of the heavenly reward and with many lesser good things; God withholds them for a time that we may learn to walk by faith.