There are some heavy hearts. Folks are just tired of it all and they want the Most High to hurry up and deliver us. I know the feeling because I find myself sighing about it quite often. Sighing and praying, because we want to see the end of Jacob’s trouble and leave the Babylonian system behind. Just know that the wicked system is not just here (in America). Our people are dealing with it wherever they are scattered. But waiting and setbacks can be hard when the desires of your heart are put on hold. Sometimes we just want to get there. But are we missing important aspects of the journey? When there’s a delay, here’s the thing, this is a journey and there are lessons we need to learn along the way. The lessons you learn will equip you so that you’re able to excel when you get to the destination. Let’s look at a few examples.
David is an excellent example. He lived in the cave of Adullam (1 Samuel 22). While he was on the run from Saul, he lived in this cave with his family. Now remember that he had already been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king and he had also killed Goliath. Also consider that he had 400 men with him. He was on the run from Saul for approximately 15 years. To be on the run for 15 years after you’ve been anointed to be king was certainly a delay. The Most High didn’t give those specifics when he told Samuel to anoint him. So, there are things you find out about on the journey. What else happened during his delay? He had to pretend to be insane to keep from getting killed (1 Samuel 21:10-14). Yes, David, the man who had killed the giant. Yes, he ultimately got to the destination, and he sat on the throne and became Israel’s g greatest king. Scripture says he was a man after YAH’s own heart.
We certainly remember Joseph’s story. Joseph went from being a slave to become an overseer and then became a prisoner for something he didn’t do. Now he was around 17 years old when he had his dream. But that dream was not fulfilled until he reached the age of about 30. Imagine, that he was given the vision but the details about the pit and the prison were not a part of the dream. What happened to him was terrible. Let’s also remember that his own brothers sold him into slavery. Do you think he had to overcome some strong emotions associated with that? If you had had a dream about your family members selling you into slavery, you probably would say that wasn’t a dream. That was a nightmare! So, Joseph experienced a 13-year delay. The delay made it possible for him to save his family (Genesis 50:19-21). Not only that, the Most High had prepared his heart during that time so that he didn’t seek revenge. He was certainly in a position where he could have taken them out. But YAH’s will wasn’t for them to be destroyed, but to be saved.
What about Abraham? Abraham’s story is certainly one that most of us are familiar with. He was 75 years old when he first received the promise about having a child. He was 86 when Ishmael was born. Now, Ishmael wasn’t the son of the promise. But it was 11 years after Abraham was told that he would have a child. So, there was a delay. He was 99 when he was told that he would be the father of many nations. Look, he only had the one child and now he’s being told that he would be the father of many nations. When Isaac was born, Abraham was 100 years old. We’re talking about a 25-year delay. Wrap your brain around that. Now, if you had to wait 25 years to have a child that you were promised and then you get a word telling you to slay that child, how many of you would have said, “That can’t be YAH. Get behind me, Satan.” And yet, Scripture tells us he got up early the next morning to carry it out (Genesis 22:3). Do you think his journey prepared him for that? Abraham fully believed that the Most High would raise Isaac up. How long did it take for his faith to mature to that level? Hebrews 11:17-9 says, “By faith, Abraham when he was tested…” This test came while he was on the journey. He wasn’t told about this in the beginning. When he was tested, he offered up Isaac.
We certainly can’t forget the saints under the altar. Think about how long they have been there waiting asking, “How long, Most High”? (Revelation 6:9-11). So, what happens when you miss out on the opportunity to learn the lessons you need to prepare you for the destination? You end up like Saul. He didn’t have a time of preparation. On the outside, he looked like he was ready. He had everything that the people thought he needed to be their king. But they couldn’t see his heart. The heart wasn’t ready. He didn’t have any scars. He wasn’t battle tested. He didn’t have time to die to himself.
When you don’t take the time to grow up, you’ll end up following a Korah. Now, in case you don’t know his story, it is found in Numbers 16:1-31. Let’s remember he was Moses’s cousin; we’re talking about kinfolk. What did those 250 men see in him? It says, they were “men of renown”. Think about where that would have happened. Was it in Egypt? Did they have status and clout there? Often times we look at external things. Some may look at how much money a person has, the status or popularity, but they don’t dig deeper to examine character. Do we take the time to examine the fruit? They challenge the leadership and authority established by the Most High.
You need to understand that in some cases those closest to you will have a problem with your anointing because they can only see you as their kinsmen, not someone doing what the Most High told them to do or saying what he told you to say. So, they want to try to fight against you: “Who are you to tell me…” is normally the attitude. But on the journey, you’re going to have to learn how to put it in YAH’s hand and let Him deal with them. And this is not to say that you need to worship people and make them idols. No, those who have various roles in their homes, family, etc. certainly should not be puffed up and try to manipulate and control people. They will have to answer to the Most High for that. I’m speaking about times when they are fulfilling their roles and doing what Abba told them to do or saying what He told them to say. When you’re not sure about that, just keep quiet and take it to the Most High. Let Him confirm it.
In Jude 1:8-11, we read more about Korah. What was Kora’s problem? Rebellion. He had seen the works that the Most High had done through Moses with everyone else. He had witnessed the miracles, but because he had some status, he let it go to his head and refused to hear Moses because his heart was still longing for Egypt. So those who followed him would have followed him right back into bondage. Be careful of those you follow. Leaders are always going to lead you somewhere. You need to know where that final destination will be. The promised land or the pit. The Most High was bringing them out. Korah was trying to take them back in again. What did those 250 men see in him that they would trust him to that extent? They had a heart problem as well.
Now here is something to consider and we have to go back to David’s story for this (see 1 Samuel 23:13-18). Family, we have a responsibility to not allow folks to lead us into a ditch, especially those tied to this Babylonian political system. We have to look at these leaders they put in front of us and examine behaviors and traits. Don’t just look at status and the wealth. Just because they’re leaders in this system does not mean they should be leaders of Israel. Don’t let these folks trip you up when it’s time to get out of the lands of our captivity. They may be great politicians, businessmen, entertainment, and sports professionals, but those things are not qualifications you need to look for when it comes to leaders in the nation of Israel.
Pray about the leaders over our people in the days to come. Start praying now and focus on things that matter to the Most High. Our people didn’t consider that when they asked for a king the first time (see Hosea 1:10-11). We know that this is a last day prophecy because it says, “Judah and Israel are gathered here.” We have a duty and a responsibility to recognize those who are displaying the right fruit. We were told that we would be brought out of the land of captivity. And for this last captivity, we were not given an end date. It would have been nice to say, “Okay, we got 400 years in. That’s it!” It would have been nice if Abraham had been told that he would have a son in 25 years, but he wasn’t given that information. So, while we wait, we need to make sure that we’re preparing for what comes next. What we know for sure is that the days are short and that the wickedness is getting worse every day. So, we’re coming to that place where we will have to know how to stand.
You must do what Abba requires to receive his power. He wants to be able to trust you with it. But would you give a Lamborghini to a 5-year-old? Just think about that. How much power can you really be trusted with? He wants to be able to trust you with His power. But if given too soon, you’ll destroy things He wants to save and save things He wants to destroy. Are you battle ready or are you just on this journey for the benefits? You simply follow the crowd. The information about our history sounded good to you. It boosted your ego, “We’re the people!” and that’s really why you’re still hanging around. You’re not really taking the time to grow in the Most High, to learn about Him, to learn about His character.
So, this time of the delay is really a time of introspection. Don’t wait for others to do for you what you should be doing for yourself. Don’t wait for them to study for you, pray for you, hear from the Most High for you. That’s why so many of our people are confused. They don’t want to take the time to pray, fast, and study. Sadly, some don’t know how to pray. Instead of trying to seek the Most High, you go to someone else so that so that they can give you the answer. What is that saying? You value what they say more than Abba. We’re not expected to know everything but a lot of these little things can be cleared up if folks would just read the Book and spend time in Abba’s presence. Your priority should be to hear for yourself, to learn how to pray, to learn how to study so that you won’t be deceived. We have to put first things first. Take the time to do that during the delay. This is serious business, family.
We have to be able to pray so that we’re able to recognize those He has sent. We want leaders who are walking uprightly before our father. Those who will do what is right because it’s right. Those who abstain from the very appearance of evil, those who will intercede for the people even when those same people they’re trying to help turn against them. We want those who love our Father and love His people. We need shepherds who really know how to serve. And finally, we all need to make sure we are prepared for the battle ahead. We need the whole armor. We need to be wearing it. We need to know how to use our weapons skillfully. We need to know what those weapons are. And we need the power of the Most High to be able to walk in victory. How are you going to stand in the evil day if you’re still being tossed to-and-fro by every wind of doctrine?
Learn more when you view the accompanying video, Don’t Despise Delays.
