A Praying Faith is Well Pleasing in God's Sight.

Tip! God's people do not have authorization to demand the Savior's promise of, "...Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do," in order to gain something very special for themselves.

A praying faith keeps the commandments of God and does those things which are well pleasing in His sight. It asks, "Lord, what will You have me to do?" and answers quickly, "Speak, Lord, Your servant hears."

Obedience helps faith, and faith, in turn, helps obedience. To do God's will is essential to true faith, and faith is necessary to total obedience.

Yet our faith is called on, and many times only to wait in patience before God and our faith is prepared for God's seeming delays in answering prayer. Faith does not grow disheartened because prayer is not immediately honored; we must take God at His Word, and let Him take what time He chooses in fulfilling His purposes, and in carrying on His work.

There is bound to be many delays and long days of waiting for true faith. But our faith must accept the conditions -- knowing there will be delays in answering prayer, and regards these delays as times of testing, in which, it is privileged to show its courage, and the stern stuff of which it is made.

Look at the case of Lazarus; this was an example of where there was a delay, where the faith of two good women was sorely tried: Lazarus was critically ill, and his sisters sent for Jesus. But, without any known reason, our Lord delayed His going to the relief of His sick friend. The plea was urgent and touching -- "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick," -- but the Master is not moved by it, and the women's earnest request seemed to fall on deaf ears. What a trial to faith! Furthermore: our Lord's tardiness appeared to bring about hopeless disaster. While Jesus waited, Lazarus died.

Tip! 'Asking of God' and 'receiving' from the Lord - direct request to God, immediate connection with God - that is true prayer.

But the delay of Jesus was exercised in the interests of a greater good. Finally, He makes His way to the home in Bethany.

"Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes, that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him."

Fear not, O tempted and tried believer, Jesus will come, if patience be exercised, and your faith hold fast. His delay will serve to make His coming all the more richly blessed for you. Pray on. Wait on. You can not fail. If Christ delays, wait for Him. In His own good time, He will come, and will not linger.