It’s often said that justice delayed is justice denied. I was reminded of that when I read through the late Robert C. Sproul Sr.’s book The Holiness of God. I always felt that justice takes too slowly and maybe, I should have my revenge instead. On the contrary, even the Old Testament (which is often misrepresented) as to teaching vengeance. Yet, the Old Testament declares, “Vengeance is mine, says the LORD.” in Deuteronomy 32:35. Later, Paul penned it down in Romans 12:19 as well.
An important message from The Holiness of God book says the following in regards to justice delayed:
We have a saying that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Not always. In the case of creation and mankind’s fall, the full measure of justice was delayed so grace would have time to work. Here the delay of justice was not the denial of justice but the establishing of mercy and grace.
This also reminds me of this morning’s reading from Charles H. Spurgeon’s devotional concerning God’s delays as part of His perfect timing:
God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day-he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that “the thorn in the flesh” might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God’s grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show his power and his sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if he keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that he may the more fully display the riches of his grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.
Sometimes, delays happen for a reason. In baking, there are times you need to let the dough rest. There are times you need to let the bread rise. In making wine in the ancient world, you needed to let it ferment. Making grape juice and olive oil requires a lot of pressing. It takes time to build a good foundation. If anything, these delays don’t mean that nothing is being done. There’s a difference between a necessary delay and an unnecessary delay. If a project isn’t moving forward because of dilly-dallying (such as sleeping on the job or doing personal necessities at work) then one has the right to get mad. However, if a project is delayed due to valid circumstances (such as quality checks) then getting mad is out of the question.
The same can go for God and the Christian’s prayer. We can see there’s sin that needs to be removed. There may be dangers. There may be God’s grace at work giving space for wicked people to repent. There may be a lot of reasons why God might be saying, “Yes, but please wait!” When God says wait, then wait. It’s like having to wait for your turn because other people have more urgent needs and yours is less urgent. In a restaurant, there’s a lot of waiting before the food can be done. There’s a lot of waiting before anything better can be done.
We have the story of Joseph’s long wait in Genesis 41. Joseph had to wait for two years in prison. Joseph was framed for a crime he never did. Mrs. Potiphar filed a phony rape charge. If Joseph was granted his freedom, he wouldn’t have been able to do what God wanted him to do. God had to delay Joseph’s freedom until the Pharaoh of his time got a strange dream. Joseph would’ve probably gone home to his family. Instead, the delay happened so Joseph’s wisdom could help Egypt. I can’t tell what Joseph must’ve thought while he waited. All that’s made clear is that there’s a reason why Joseph had to wait.
It’s impatience that leads to a lot of problems. Exodus 32 tells us about the impatience of the Israelites. Moses was clear that he was going to be gone for a long time. Their lack of patience caused them to commit acts of idolatry and sexual immorality. The KJV even uses the term “naked before their enemies” in verse 25. I’m led to believe that a huge sexual orgy came in. The reason was because of their impatience. Would’ve they learned to wait–the orgy may have never happened. Instead, they let their impatience get the best of them creating the scenario.
A lot of people make a lot of mistakes due to impatience as well. One might be in a bad business deal or marriage (especially with an unbeliever) because of that. One may have lost a lot of money by impatience. One may have ended up physically hurting somebody over something trivial because of impatience. When one gets impatient, they end up ignoring reason and wisdom in exchange for their own selfish needs.
Waiting upon the LORD doesn’t mean not doing anything. Construction work requires patience. Patience requires work. Patience isn’t just sitting down and doing nothing. Instead, patience is doing God’s will while waiting for His right timing.
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