A recurring theme in Streams in the Desert is “God’s delays are not denials.” As you can tell with as many references as I have made to Streams, the devotional helped me lean on the Lord and His promises. One of my favorite devotions is July 4th. This beautiful illustration made me smile to think my baby was in the Delayed Blessings Office. Anticipation! I will share it here, verbatim, in case you do not yet have your own copy of Streams.
Streams in the Desert, July 4th
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time…though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3
In the charming little booklet, Expectation Corner, Adam Slowman was led into the Lord’s treasure houses, and among many other wonders there revealed to him was the “Delayed Blessings Office,” where God kept certain things, prayed for, until the wise time came to send them.
It takes a long time for some pensioners to learn that delays are not denials. Ah, there are secrets of love and wisdom in the “Delayed Blessings Department,” which are little dreamt of! Men would pluck their mercies green when the Lord would have them ripe. “Therefore will the Lord WAIT, that He may be gracious unto you” (Isaiah 30:18). He is watching in the hard places and will not allow one trial too many; He will let the dross be consumed, and then He will come gloriously to your help.
Do not grieve Him by doubting His love. Nay, lift up your head, and begin to praise Him even now for the deliverance which is on the way to you, and you will be abundantly rewarded for the delay which has tried your faith.
Joy in my Journey 