A divine delay is the necessary space and time needed for God to make a way.

Because He always does.

He is truly a “waymaker, miracle worker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness.”

And the way is made clear, the miracle worked out, the promise kept, and the darkness made light oftentimes in the midst of waiting.

I can think of several examples in the Bible, and in my own life, where specific prayers were prayed, and requests made, but the answers were delayed.

Quite often the answers and outcome are far different (and far better) than we can imagine or fathom.

I think of Esther’s delay in presenting her request to the king. It was during that divine delay that she fasted, prayed, and asked her people to do the same. In that timely space of waiting from banquet to banquet, an evil plot to kill the king was uncovered. Had it not been, Esther wouldn’t have gained the favor needed for her request to be heeded. Her life, the life of those she loved, and generations to come were spared that day because she simply fasted and prayed during a divine delay.

I think of Jesus’s delay in showing up when his dear friend, Lazarus, was very sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were distraught and confused as to why Jesus would not come and heal their brother right away. But he didn’t. He delayed. For two days. He promised that “Lazarus sickness would not end in death,” and yet the miracle was more than a mere healing. A resurrection took place that day as a result of a divine delay.

Like Esther, the wait may be the space we need to fast and pray in order to trust and obey.

Like Mary and Martha, the wait may be the space we need to mourn and grieve in order to believe and receive.

His ways are always higher, because He always knows best.

He is the way, the truth, and the life, and He uses divine delays to give us the space and time necessary to see His love on display.