When Deliverance Is Delayed

How many know that we serve a mighty God? Does everyone agree with that statement, this morning?

We all love to talk about the wonderful miracle working power of almighty God. Truly He is a mighty God. He has all power in His hand. There is nothing that is too hard for God to do.

∑ Any problem that you might have right now or will have in the future is not too hard for God to solve.

∑ Any trouble that you find yourself in right now or in the future is not too hard for God to fix.

∑ Any situation that is relative to your particular set of unique circumstances from your life is not too big for God to deal with and take care of.

® It doesn’t matter what the problem is.

® It doesn’t matter what the need is.

® It doesn’t matter what the situation is.

® It doesn’t matter what the adversity is.

Because God is a mighty God!

® It doesn’t matter how strong the storm is.

® It doesn’t matter how fierce the winds are.

® It doesn’t matter how high the floodwaters are.

® It doesn’t matter how bad it looks to everybody around you.

® It doesn’t matter how serious it looks right now.

Because God is well able to meet your need in just one instant of time. He is a mighty, mighty God.

If you have a:

® Financial need – no problem

® Healing need – no problem

® Marital need – no problem

® Family need – no problem

® Salvation need – no problem

® Any need at all – it’s no problem with God

Our God is a mighty God and he is able!

The Word of God says:

® But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory

® Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think

® He is able to always cause us to triumph

® He is able to always bring the victory

He is a mighty, mighty, powerful, awesome, wonderful God!

So today we have established that our God is able to meet your needs whatever the need is.

ÿ But what about when the answer doesn’t come right away?

ÿ What happens when we get a different answer than the one we expected to get?

ÿ What happens when we pray and things get worse instead of better?

ÿ What happens when deliverance is delayed?

ÿ Why do we face difficulties even when we are doing what God told us to do?

ÿ When these questions come does that affect our view of the mighty God that we serve?

ÿ When the answer doesn’t come do we think differently about God?

In our scripture text Moses is lashing out at God because he has done what God has told him to do but things have gotten worse instead of better. I’ve done what you told me to do but you haven’t done anything, Lord. I’ve kept my part of the bargain but you haven’t kept your part God. You still haven’t delivered us yet. You still haven’t showed up yet. We are still waiting for you to do what you said you would do.

I can hear the bitter cries of Mary and Martha as they weep. “Jesus, where are you?” “Jesus, how come you haven’t come by here just yet?” They had called for the master to come but he never did and now it’s too late because Lazarus is dead. Mary weeps off in a corner somewhere, “Lord, I just don’t understand. I’m confused.” Martha moans as she falls to her knees, “Jesus, I thought you would have come. I thought you were our friend.” But still Jesus has not come-… yet.

There are times in all of our lives that things appear to be just like that.

∑ Things appear to be dead.

∑ It appears to be over.

∑ It appears that God has turned a deaf ear to you and your cry.

∑ Your dreams are dead.

∑ It looks like God has forgotten about you.

∑ You are desperate for an answer but no answer has come.

∑ You feel like it is too late for God to do anything concerning your situation.

∑ You feel just like Martha did when her brother died – your too late God!

∑ You cry out, “God where are you?” But the wind picks up your cry and slaps it back in your face again.

∑ You stagger along like a drunken man in your spirit as the enemy delivers more and more adversity to you.

But wait! Before you give up for good let’s take another look. Off in the distance I see God walking toward you on the stormy waters of your adversity. I’m looking down the rough and dusty road of adversity in your life and I think I see something coming toward you down the road.