We live in a world of instant gratification.  We are so impatient with quietness and delays.  Remote controls prove this.  We sit watching television and the screen goes black for a second.  As soon as we see blackness we think, “What is wrong?”  We grab the remote and switch stations.  Have you ever done that?  Have you ever been interested in a movie, experience a “glitch” in the transmission of the signal, switch channels, go back to the channel you were watching, miss an important part of the plot, and wonder what just happened.  Impatience caused you miss something.  Do we walk with Jesus like this?

A man came to Jesus one day requesting that He come to his house to heal his sick daughter (Luke 8:41-42).  Jesus agreed to go with him.  As they walked the crowd was pressing against Jesus and a woman reached in, touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and received healing.  Jesus stopped.  Jesus asked who touched his garment?  This was good for the woman.  But what about the man?  His daughter was sick unto death and Jesus stopped.  He delayed.  What was this man thinking?  What would we think?  Would we “grab the spiritual remote?”  Would we walk off thinking Jesus cared more for others than he does us?  What do we do when Jesus delays?

Jesus spoke with the woman and commended her.  Just then word came for the man not to bother Jesus anymore.  His daughter died!  She died!  Jesus was coming with this man to heal his daughter but delayed in coming and she died.  What would we do in this situation?  Before we answer notice what Jesus said, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she shall be made well.”  Jesus continued to the man’s house and raised the man’s daughter from the dead!  The delay brought greater glory!  Instead of a healing, there was a resurrection.

Is there a delay in your life today?  Do not fret.  Do not grow weary.  Do not doubt.  Do not grab the “spiritual remote.”  Jesus must have a greater work in mind!!!

Today is January 14.  May we be patient in seasons of delay.

Blessings,

Jim