Have you ever wondered why God’s promises seem so far off? Why does God delay in fulfilling His blessing? Martin Luther has some wise words of encouragement for us in these times of uncertainty. As he reflects on the story of Isaac and Ishmael, Luther reminds us that God is our Daddy and just like a Dad his delays are like a loving game of hide and seek; preparing us for the bigger surprise at the end.
“The marvelous counsels of God in governing His saints must be learned, and the hearts of the godly must become accustomed to them. When you have a promise of God, it will happen that the more you are loved by God, the more you will have it hidden, delayed, and turned into its opposite. For if God did not love you so exceedingly, He would not play with you in this manner; that is, He would not delay His promise and help and turn it into its opposite. These are the surest signs of a heart that is fatherly and burns with love for you. Thus a father according to the flesh who loves his son plays with him and promises him a small present, but he defers and pretends that he will refuse to do that he has promised. He does this because he loves his son very much and wants to give richly, provided that his son perseveres and swallows and overcomes the delay. In this way God plays with us too. But we grumble and are displeased at a delay, no matter how short it is. What is being promised us we want to get either now or in another manner and in another way, whatever that way may be. Therefore the examples of the fathers teach us what the true forms of worship are, namely, genuine faith, perfect hope, and unwavering love. These virtues lead us to the realization that God is present and beneficent, no matter how He seems to be against us.”
So no matter how difficult things get, no matter how it may seem you are alone, remember, that your Heavenly Father is with you and will not forget to keep His promise!
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