God often delays in answering prayer. We see this throughout Scripture. Jacob wrestled with the angel all night long and didn't receive the blessing until dawn was breaking. The poor Syrophoenician woman cried out to Jesus and received not a word—not a word!—for what must have felt like an eternity. Paul begged the Lord three times to remove that thorn in his flesh. Three times! And what did he get? Not removal, but a promise: "My grace is sufficient for you."

So you've been knocking at the gate of mercy, and all you hear is silence. You've been pleading for that answer, that healing, that breakthrough, and... nothing. Shall I tell you why the mighty Maker hasn't thrown open the door yet?

Our Father has reasons peculiar to himself for making us wait. Sometimes it's to show his power and his sovereignty—that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. But more often, the delay is for our profit.

You're kept waiting so your desires will burn more fervently. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire. When he makes you wait, you see your necessity more clearly. You seek more earnestly. And when the mercy finally comes? You'll prize it all the more for its long tarrying.

There may be something wrong in you that needs removing before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps your views of the Gospel plan are confused. Perhaps you're placing some little reliance on yourself instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or perhaps—just perhaps—God makes you tarry awhile that he may more fully display the riches of his grace to you at last.

Here's what I know: your prayers are all filed in heaven. Every single one. If not immediately answered, they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to your delight and satisfaction.

Let not despair make you silent! Continue instant in earnest supplication. The delay is not denial. It's preparation for something better than you dared to ask.