Delay causes us to see what is in our hearts that needs to be dealt with!
It is estimated that David waited between 13 and 15 years to become king after he was anointed to become king.
It is recorded by The Holy Spirit in 1st Samuel chapter 24:
3 So Saul came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. (David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.)
4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.'” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
6 And he said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.“
7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way.
David had within his own power to bring the prophecy of becoming king to pass. However, he didn’t. He was not moved by what others were recommending.
8 David also arose afterward, went out of the cave, and called out to Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed down.
9 And David said to Saul: “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Indeed David seeks your harm’?
10 Look, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, ‘I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.‘
11 Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it.
12 Let the LORD judge between you and me, and let the LORD avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.
This is a valuable lesson for us to not get ahead of what THE LORD is doing. Let us wait on HIS timing and not allow ourselves to take matters into our own hands thus circumventing HIS timing. We must not trust our own understanding above HIS.
David refused to bring about fulfillment of his own promise. That is the temptation in delay… to move things forward by our own ability. Instead, David participated in Kingdom fashion with GOD’S process. Maturity developed in David’s journey to the throne developed his character to be able to successfully reign.
Perceived delays in our walk are meant to develop our character as well in preparation for success in our individual callings.
Those who we are in conflict with, are actually tools to help us become patient and longsuffering. Conflicts and challenges make us aware of our need for dependency on THE LORD. Those who feel they are entitled have placed their own will above GOD’S Will and that is a recipe for disaster.