J.A. Matteson
Regard delay with joy as it is the test of the LORD to develop your faith. Instant gratification requires no faith, divine delay produces its desired result, your sanctification. "He named the place Massah and Meribah because of the quarrel or the sons of Israel, and because they tested the LORD, saying, 'Is the LORD among us, or not?'" (Ex. 17:7). It is the devils work to whisper, as he did in the garden, "Indeed, has God said...?" God has spoken and cannot lie. The test is whether you will believe Him in what He has promised. Beware of perceiving circumstances as the end of a matter; truth is not defined by circumstances but by the word of the LORD. Consider providences that delay the promise as His gift to you in order to bring you into a closer union with Him; He is tenderly teaching you His faithfulness and what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. He has promised to lead you, to go before you, to a good land flowing with milk and honey. Jesus has gone before you and is preparing a place for you and will return again for you. The pilgrims path is arid, narrow, and difficult. Beware of voices who in unbelief bid you to return to egypt, to the house of slavery. Pretenders follow only for a season and heed demonic cries of doubt, returning to bondage as a dog returns to its vomit. The LORD has promised and will not fail. Disregard the appearance of adverse circumstances and stay the course of faith like Job, who confessed, though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
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