Last Friday, we Five-Minute Friday participants received a note from founder Kate Motaung saying that due to tech issues, the link-up would be delayed. She wrote, “I’ll send another email when it’s live (but it might be a day or two or three) 🙂 Sorry to disappoint, and thank you for your patience and grace! Kate”

I thought about last week’s delayed delivery of my flute ergonomics, and how that had a happy ending. But what about other delays, such as the snow we had on Thursday that delayed spring?

Delayed no longer

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “None of My words will be postponed any longer, but the word which I speak will be fulfilled,”’ says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 12:28 NKJV

This declaration by God offers both comfort and a warning. God keeps His promises, and they include judgment. In this case, the imminent destruction of Israel due to their continued disobedient. The Israelites thought exile to Babylon would never happen. How often have I put off something—oh, I’ll do that tomorrow—as if I had all the time in the world? And then I don’t.

Yet, there is reassurance in these His words. God is faithful; He is active and trustworthy. And we must be, too, in repentance in the face of divine accountability.

Delayed but wait

For the revelation pertains to an appointed time—it speaks truthfully about the end. Though it delays, wait for it, because it will surely come about—it will not be late! Habakkuk 2:3 ISV

God’s revelation will occur at His appointed time. What might appear to us as being delayed or slow to come about is not late at all, but right on time. God’s time. And so, we wait. 

Several years ago, I was waiting for the pet store staff to bring a bag of dog food from the back. While minutes clicked by, I observed various people and dogs sniffing around the store. I checked my cell phone for email three times and thought about everything I needed to do when I got home. A thirty-minute delay. But then, while loading the bag into the back of our car, I looked up. Sunlight broke through the clouds hanging over Afton Mountain. Ice from the morning’s freezing rain created an ethereal beacon. If I hadn’t been delayed, I would have missed that glorious scene.

Wait for it, for it will surely come: His promises, His justice, His beauty, His perfect timing.

Delayed as a test

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. Matthew 25:5 ESV

Many early Christians believed that Christ would come again in their lifetimes. Soon. When He didn’t, they became weary, complacent, and drowsy. They lost their focus. This delay is a spiritual test for followers; even the most fervent believers must be actively vigilant, prepared despite natural fatigue.

This verse appears within the parable of the ten virgins, five of them foolish and ill prepared, the other five wise and prepared. The wise passed the test and went with Christ to the marriage feast. But the door was shut by the time the foolish were prepared. We might have our lamps ready—our external actions—but they are of no use if we do not have the internal oil of readiness.

While pondering these verses, I noticed signs of spring, undeterred by last week’s snow and cold. Delayed, postponed, waiting, tested, and slowed no longer.

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