Delays and Persistence

“From the first day … your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me.” – Daniel 10:12-13

Daniel sought God to help him understand a vision. He had every reason to expect an answer. He had served God faithfully with a clean heart. In the past, God had given him revelations about dreams and visions (Daniel 1:7). Yet day after day, God did not answer!

Daniel must have wondered why. Had he displeased God? Was sin blocking his prayers?

Eventually Daniel did receive an answer. He may have been surprised that the delay was caused by spiritual opposition. His prayers had been heard, and the answer was on the way. Daniel simply had not yet received it. Finally, 21 days after he prayed, the answer arrived. But that answer only reached Daniel because of supernatural intervention by the archangel Michael.

We need to realize that we too are involved in spiritual warfare. We should not assume that every delay is the result of demonic opposition, but we still must recognize the reality of this kind of opposition.

What happens if your prayers aren’t answered? First, be persistent. Pray and don’t give up. Seek and keep seeking (Matthew 7:7). Keep your life pure from sin (Psalm 24:3-4). Be sensitive to possible spiritual opposition. Remain armed with the “whole armor of God,” so you can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11), and fill your life with praise.

Be confident that God hears your prayers. Trust that He will answer in His time.

Reflection Question: What have you been requesting from God for a long time?