We need to promptly obey the Lord. When we are humble, our obedience will be prompt and without hesitation (1 Cor 2:9, AB; Ps 119:60, GW). Delay can be disastrous and keep us from what He has promised us (Num 14:40-41, LB). We can miss His timing if we are slow to respond to Him. Thus, He may have to cycle things around again and, as the Israelites discovered, it may or may not include us, as individuals, experiencing His intended blessings. We may miss out on some opportunities and blessings because we weren’t prompt in our obedience.
The Lord doesn’t want us to see how long we can wait before we act. We are not to be like the student who waits until the last minute to study for their test or work on their project. This is seen, for example, in Mt 25:16 and 26 (Rotherham) where the good servants in the parable of the talents were described as obeying immediately while the wicked slave could be described as ‘slow’ or ‘pokey’ (WPNT, v 1, p 199). Slowness in obeying can also expose us to deception and disobedience or to unnecessary attacks from our enemies (1 Ki 13:14; Dt 25:18, GW).
On other occasions, God asks us to wait for Him (1 Sam 13:8, CW). It may seem like a delay to us. Yet, the Lord is never tardy about any of His promises (2 Pet 3:9). He may even allow Satan to put obstacles in our way and, apparently, to delay us (1 Thess 2:18). When we have correctly discerned God’s will, these obstacles are simply part of the spiritual war we all must be determined to fight.
Delayed obedience can be costly. We have a God who is never tardy. Let’s imitate Him.
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.