However long it takes
My husband Kenya and I are amazed every time we hear our 16-year-old son Kedar play the piano. He has gotten so good, so fast. He first started tinkering with the keys at the beginning of this year at City Church Buffalo— the church my husband and I lead. We are both tickled to hear Kedar tickling the ivory and filling the atmosphere with melodious music.
Not only is our teen playing the piano, but he recently got his learner’s permit and is learning to drive too. On his first day behind the wheel, Kedar was so excited. You should have seen him beaming and grinning from ear to ear. And once he hit the road, he did a great job. He did so well in fact, I teasingly asked, “Are you sure you’ve never driven before?”
While I often tell Kedar how proud I am of him, I also try to keep him balanced by telling him that everything in life won’t come as easily or quickly. There will be challenges, and some things will take a long time to manifest—even things God promised to do. This is something Paul teaches in Hebrews 6, where he encourages Christians to put our hope in God. He teaches us to be assured of the certainty of the Lord’s promises even if it takes a long time to see the word fulfilled.
In Genesis 15, God told Abraham, the great patriarch of faith, his offspring would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. At the time, Abraham didn’t have any children, and it took 25 years before the promised child Isaac was born. By then, Abraham was 100 years old.
Your waiting period may not be 25 years, but however long it takes to see God fulfill His word, stay focused on the Lord’s faithfulness.
Paul says in Hebrews 6:18, “it is impossible for God to lie.” Therefore, if God said it, as I always tell you, it has to happen. When things are moving slowly in your life, tell yourself: However long it takes, I will trust God; however long it takes, I will believe; however long it takes, I will confess God’s promises; however long it takes, I refuse to give up.
Stay in faith. That deliverance will come. Healing will manifest. Favor will flow. Opportunities will open up. Resources will show up. God personally guarantees that His word never fails.
“There is a breakthrough that has been a long time coming, with your name on it. God is releasing something awesome, because you believed Him in the wait!
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Daily Cup family, I recently received a message from a young lady who is hurting, confused, and upset. She wrote, “Dianna, I ask God over and over again, ‘When will my time come?’ I feel like it will never be my turn to be blessed. I don’t know how to keep waiting. I have been believing God for change, and I just don’t see anything happening. All the waiting is beginning to make my faith waver.”
I know that she is not the only one feeling this way. Her words remind me of the prophet Habakkuk in Habakkuk 1:2. He asked, “How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?”
This man of God was tired. He acted as God’s mouthpiece to Judah while they were in Babylonian captivity, and even he felt like God was taking too much time to answer. But God responded in Habakkuk 2:2-3, and He told Habakkuk, “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie.”
Even though none of us knows the mind of God, and we cannot determine the “appointed time,” we can be sure we have one. There is a set time for change. In the meantime, as I said earlier, focus on God’s faithfulness and the reliability of His word. When you place your hope in His word, you will remain steadfast in uncertain times.
To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Hebrews 6:19 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup and cling to your faith for change, please join me in praying for the following individuals who asked to be included on our “Thoughtful Thursdays” intercessory prayer list:
Danielle wrote: My husband of 14 years told me he wants a divorce. I didn’t see this coming. I am devastated! Pray that God will work this out between us. Our relationship used to be so beautiful. He says he is not in love with me anymore. I can’t accept this.
Paul wrote: I am submitting this request for my wife Amber. Her breast cancer returned. She just found out and she is very scared. She needs God’s healing and comfort. I told her we will get through this together and don’t give up hope. Prayers are desperately needed!
Anonymous wrote: I just got laid off so now I don’t know how I’m going to provide for my children this Christmas. I am a single mother of 3 children and they are all under 10 years old. I need God’s help. This is the worst time for something like this to happen.
Candace W. wrote: Dianna’s ministry of encouragement has been so necessary for me while I’m dealing with my son, who is lost and confused about who he is. His father is not in his life, and he has started hanging around with violent gang members, and drug dealers. I am praying for his salvation. Please call out his name TOBY!
Teala wrote: I am trying to finish up my final year of college. I got pregnant in my junior year and the father unfortunately does not want to be involved in his daughter’s life. I have no help. My parents cut me off after I got pregnant. I feel unloved and overwhelmed. I am depressed all the time because I made a mistake. I have nowhere to turn. I know God has not forsaken me, but I feel like he has. I would be grateful for any prayers.
Anonymous wrote: In an abusive marriage and need courage to get out. Please pray. Thank you to the whole prayer team.
Alexis wrote: I got saved a few weeks ago and am needing strength for my faith. I get weak sometimes and I seriously want to do the right thing. I’ve overcome a lot and I’m ready to grow and e real about Jesus. Amen.
Now let’s pray.
God, You see every need, prayer request, and unspoken desire. There is no problem that surprises you, perplexes you, or is beyond your power to change. I am asking for Your supernatural intervention in the lives of those who have placed their trust in You. I praise You in advance for what You will do for each person represented here today. We rejoice in Your faithfulness! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
