“Delay Is Not Denial”
By Dianne Prince
“The angel said to Daniel, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them” (Daniel 10:12, NIV).
Sometimes, answers to prayers don’t come overnight; they take time. Rest assured, God is at work even when He appears silent. Daniel’s prayer was answered on the first day he prayed, but it took three weeks for the answer to reach him due to spiritual warfare in the unseen realm.
An angel was dispatched with the answer on the same day Daniel prayed, but this angel encountered a battle with the devil in the unseen realm, causing a delay in the answer reaching Daniel.
Today’s scripture reminds us of the reality of spiritual warfare. The Bible states that the battle between the devil and the angel grew fierce, leading God to dispatch Michael, His chief angel, to take over the battle while the original Messenger angel continued to deliver the answer. It took three weeks for God’s timing to manifest, but during that time, the answer was en route.
The message for you today is simple: never give up on praying for that unsaved family member, backslidden young person, drug-addicted nephew, financial shortage, or healing from a lingering illness. Whether you’ve been praying for weeks, months, or years, keep praying. Persist in prayer, unwavering in your faith. Persistence pays off. Understand that God heard your prayers on the first day, and though the answer may be delayed, it is on its way.
