HOPE: IT'S "ONLY" A DELAY....NOT DEATH!

                      DELAYED HOPE

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Delay can turn seconds into minutes; minutes into hours; hours into days; days into weeks; weeks into months; and months into years. Delay is the BIGGEST killer of HOPE. “…When he heard, therefore that he (Lazarus) was SICK, he abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).

Jesus delayed his time of arrival to Martha and Mary’s situation and decided to tarry where he was instead of coming immediately to their rescue. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

Lazarus’ sickness was obviously an emergency. Martha and Mary may have been desperate for Jesus’ presence, but he chose to delay his coming. “…he (Lazarus) was SICK, [but Jesus]… abode two…[more]… days in the same place where he was…” (John 11:6 KJV).

The problem with delay happens when someone is waiting for your arrival. Delay can cause disappointment, on the part, of the people or person waiting for the one who is delayed, especially if it seems to be a matter of life or death. “…My Lord delayeth his coming…” (Luke 12:45 KJV).

Delay ALSO requires waiting. “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME, it will not tarry….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

“… They that WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew [their] strength…” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV).  “…WAIT ON the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I say, on the LORD…” (Psalms 27:14 KJV). “…The LORD [is] good unto them that WAIT FOR HIM…” (Lamentations 3:25 KJV). “…THOUGH IT TARRY, WAIT FOR IT….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV).

YOUR HOPE CRIES OUT DURING GOD”S DELAY. “…How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalms 13:1 NASB.

“…Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God… (Psalms 40:17 NASB).

“…I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God…” (Psalms 69:3 KJV).

Delay causes you to go through unexpected events and experiences before you SEE the manifestation of God’s glory. Martha and Mary experienced Lazarus’ sickness, death, and funeral. “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV).

Job experienced the loss of family, wealth, and health. “One day when Job’s ….donkeys were grazing nearby …the Sabeans attacked and made off with them.…another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and …another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and …yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV). . “…Satan….smote Job with boils from the sole of his feet unto his crown…” (Job 2:7 KJV).

Joseph experienced mistreatment from his brothers, being thrown into an empty, dark pit, and being sold as a slave. “…And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit ... And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it … Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt…” (Genesis 37).

The Hebrew Boys experienced controversy for standing up for their faith and being thrown into a fiery furnace. “…Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated. … Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).

Jesus experienced mistreatment, dishonor, and physical abuse. “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV).

However, after a DELAY, they ALL saw the manifestation of the Glory of God. “…After you have suffered … [or been delayed for]… a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).

“…After you have suffered...[or been delayed]… a little while…”  (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). This verse implies that there will be “a little while” or a delay, but there will be an “after.” Delays, no matter how severe, are temporary and the bible says, “…the suffering …[or delays]… of this present time ARE NOT worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us…” (Romans 8:18 KJV). “…For our light affliction …[or delays], …which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

PROOF: “….Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV). GLORY to GOD!

PROOF: “…The Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV). GLORY to GOD!

PROOF: “Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. …“ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”…So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”  … Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41 NIV). GLORY to GOD!

PROOF: “…Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego…. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3 KJV).  GLORY TO GOD!

PROOF: Jesus is “highly exalted” with a “name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). In addition,“…at .the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11 KJV). GLORY to GOD!

However, Job, Joseph, Jesus, the Hebrew Boys, and Martha and Mary ALL had to live through and experience a DELAY. “…After YOU have suffered …[or been delayed]… a little while…” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT).

Delay is God’s decision. Delay is about God’s love for you and NOT some kind of punishment. Delay is NOT about God’s denial, condemnation, or deprivation of you or your needs. Delay has a divine purpose. Delay is meant to be a holy and intimately dependent experience with God. Delay is NOT about your will, but God’s will.

While DELAY makes people focus on what is happening on the OUTSIDE, God is focusing on the HEART.  “…The LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).

God took Israel through the wilderness (trials or tribulations) for forty years. One reason he did it was to “….know what was in [their]…heart…” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV).

Many believers claim to be God’s people, yet have not truly turned or repented from MANY of their wicked ways. “…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways,…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV).

“...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God is looking at the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “… From within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts…these … come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).  God KNOWS the heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

No matter how righteous or upstanding you think you have become, God will loving remind you: “….There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). Therefore, “…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought…” (Romans 12:3 NIV).

Job forgot “….there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not?” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). In addition, “… there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV).

Job had developed a whether high opinion of his righteous self-image. God used Elihu to tell Job. Elihu heard Job say, “…I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me” (Job 3:8-9 KJV). BUT, “…Elihu spake …, and said, Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?” (Job 35:1-3 KJV).

Job didn’t think his experiences were fair or just, because he was such a righteous person. God, in his sovereignty, knew Job needed some DELAYS in his life. God asked Job a question: “Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell me [Job], if you know ALL this..” (Job 38:18 NIV). (Job 42:3).

Job loss sight of God’s sovereignty and that his ways “…are past [our ability] to [find them] out…” (Romans 11:33 KJV). AND “..Job replied “I have declared that which I did not understand…” (Job 42).

Job had also declared that, “…[his] righteousness [was].. more than God's? … [and thought], …What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?” (Job 35:1-3 KJV).

Job judged, complained about, and criticized God’s “sense of justice” or “fairness” in making, an “already” righteous man, such as himself, go through such a harsh experience.

Do you agree with God’s imposed “ delays” on Job? Are many of God’s people not judgmental of God for their negative events and experiences? “… [Job thought], What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?” (Job 35:1-3 KJV). However, “…Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall…” (Proverbs 16:18 KJV).

Job truly was blameless and upright as God said, but he still needed to experience some delays. God knew Job’s heart. God had already decided “…that all things [would] work together for good [for Job]… [because Job loved God and was called]...according to his purpose …” (Romans 8:38 KJV).

God also knew, “….He that hath suffered (through DELAYS) in the flesh hath ceased from sin…” (1 Peter 4:1 KJV).

Through his delays, Job was further enlightened about God’s truth and gained a deeper respect for God’s sovereignty. “Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.  I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:1-6 NLT).

Job teaches us something about experiencing delays. “…Not [to]…think of yourself more highly than you ought…” (Romans 12:3 NIV).  NOT “why me?” but, “why not me?” “…Hath not the potter power over the clay...?” (Romans 9:20-21 KJV).

No matter how righteous you THINK you have become, you have need for DELAYS too. “...O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay...?” (Romans 9:20-21 KJV).

Job finally humbled himself and repented. “…[God DELAYS his coming] … for our profit, that we might be partakers (participants) of his holiness...” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV). God is pleased when we become participants in his holiness!!! “…be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV).

During his DELAY Job recognized the sin in his heart and confessed, “…I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance” (Job 42:1-6 NLT). As a result, “…the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: ….After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV). GLORY to God!

It’s a DELAY not DEATH.

Getting back to John 11, HOPE had already died when Jesus TOOK Martha and Mary BACK to the PLACE where they BURIED it. “…the PLACE “WHERE” the DEAD was laid…” (John 11:39-41 KJV).

“…Jesus said…I am the resurrection and I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV).  

DEAD HOPE can be brought out of BURIAL CHAMBERs with a pray of faith that God HEARs. “…Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” (John 11:41-42 NLT).

DEAD HOPE can be totally revived or returned to LIFE by the COMMAND of the GOSPEL (which is JESUS, the LIVING Word). “…Lazarus COME FORTH…he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:43-43 KJV).

DEAD “HOPE” can be brought BACK to absolute spiritual health and the GRAVE CLOTHES removed. “…He that was DEAD came forth, bound, head and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, ‘Loose him, and let him go.’” (John 11:44 KJV).

Grave clothes represent EVERYTHING that your HOPE was  bound or wrapped in such as: doubt, disappointment, what you saw, what you heard, what you lived through, what didn’t happen, what did happen, the enemies lies, the weapons the enemy formed against you, and weariness.

It is easy to see how HOPE DIES, especially with so many DELAYS, but God intends for you to make it to the FINISH LINE. “…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).

Go BACK and RETRIEVE your faith. God’s knows you are weary, but don’t GIVE up! “Let us NOT become weary in doing good, for at the PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP A HARVEST if we do not give up”…” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

“…If God is for us, who is against us? …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). …Jesus told them, “Unwrap …[your hope]… and let [it]… go!” (John 11:44 NLT).

“…Jesus saith unto them, ‘Loose him, and let him go [or let hope go]…..’” (John 11:44 KJV).

Is your HOPE dead? Go BACK and RETRIEVE it IN JESUS NAME!!!