Don't Be Wearied by Delay

Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

The narrative before us today follows on the heels of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 1:6-11). In that final discourse, endeavoring to answer the question of his disciples (1:6), he promises that they "will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." Of course, Jesus could have fulfilled that promise in an instant, but he chose to make them wait -- and wait, they did. Finally, after witnessing the ascension and hearing the comforting words of the two men (1:10-11), the disciples, along with a contingent of others, returned to Jerusalem and committed themselves to prayer. As they waited for the promise of Christ to be accomplished, they prayed.

There are many times in our lives when we faithfully pray -- praying the very will of God for our lives. Who would argue against the notion that God desires that we grow in holiness, righteousness, and knowledge? Who could deny that God's purpose for us is to be conformed to the image of his Son? Of course, God has promised to do all of those things in our lives, and we pray that he would. Yet, as we examine our lives, we see little to no growth and wonder how long we must be made to wait for God to accomplish these things. Perhaps you have been praying for other matters and, yet, are still waiting to see what God will do. Our Father in heaven will often appear to delay (from our point of view) to teach his children to persevere in prayer and be patient in the waiting. Like the disciples, we must exercise our faith and trust in the promises of God in prayer. We must never waste that time of delay because it is during those times that God is further sanctifying us.

Calvin wrote, "This [praying] was an exercise of their patience. In that Christ kept them in suspense for a time when he could have sent the Spirit at once. God often delays and seems to let us languish, to teach us the habit of perseverance. The impatience of our prayers is a harmful, even baneful [destructive], disease; so it is no surprise if God corrects it. Meanwhile, as I say, he trains us to be constant in prayer. Therefore if we wish not to pray in vain, let us not be wearied by delay." McKim adds a heavy dose of reality into our minds: "Our waiting can dissuade us from believing that God hears us or that he will answer. But we persevere in prayer. We trust and have faith that as we pray, God is working. Impatience can harm our faith. Through perseverance, our faith can be strengthened. Don't be wearied by God's delay." (89) We learn a valuable lesson in today's meditation: Do not grow weary and do not give up. You Father knows what you need and will not ever be late in answering his children. Press on. Pray on. Labor on, for your Father in heaven hears and knows and answers in a perfect way.