We live in an age of instant gratification and it seems like it is on the increase. I used to be thrilled with free delivery from Amazon in a week or so. Then, with Amazon Prime, I get my stuff in two days. Sometimes it even comes in one day. I understand that in certain cities, Amazon has the option for same day delivery. It used to be months or years before a film was released on videotape to watch at home. Now, I can stream it almost as soon as it stops showing at the theater. Food is fast and I can have it delivered. Or I could just zap something in the microwave for a few seconds.  Even my oatmeal is instant.

Now we are reading in the Old Testament where time is measured in decades or centuries. Abraham was promised to be the father of a nation. About 300 years later, Moses was leading Abraham’s descendants as they became a nation. Isaiah prophesied about the coming messiah and about 700 years later Jesus was born.

But this is not always the case – take a look at the search for a wife for Isaac in Genesis 24. Abraham sent his servant back to his home country to find a wife for his son Isaac. As the servant arrives at the town, he prays a very specific prayer to God to find a suitable woman immediately. And it happens, just as he requested. Not days or months or years later, but within minutes.

“Before I had finished praying in my heart, I saw Rebekah.” (Genesis 24:45 NLT)

God answers on His timetable, not ours. This can feel miraculous or it can be super frustrating. When God doesn’t answer us quickly, we want to ask, “Why?” but I have found over the years this is not a very useful question. If we believe God is in control, we are better served to ask the question “What would a person who believes God is in control do right now?”

The reality is, God is in control, whether we admit it or not. This is really good news! Who better to be in control than the all powerful, all knowing God who made the universe. As we wait and we trust in God our faith will grow in Him.