As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Matthew 20:29-30 NIV
As Jesus and His disciples left Jericho, a large crowd followed. Two blind men by the roadside heard Jesus passing by. They cried out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” This initial call began their journey of persisting in prayer when God delays. Their remarkable example teaches us vital lessons about unwavering faith and divine timing.
Persisting in Prayer When God Delays
The blind men did not receive an immediate response from Jesus. This delay, between their first call and Jesus’s eventual action, served as a test of their resolve. Had they quieted down after the crowd’s rebuke, they might have received nothing. They understood their plea was directed to Jesus, not the crowd, and therefore ignored the demands to be silent.
Their focus remained firmly on Jesus, the source of their hope. So, the more the crowd tried to silence them, the louder they cried out to the Lord. This teaches us to keep our attention on Christ. We must not allow distractions to shift our focus during difficult seasons. The Lord Jesus often desires us to wait patiently for Him.
Our commitment to persisting in prayer when God delays strengthens our faith. A delayed response from God is never a denial; it often tests our persistence. Therefore, when we do not see an immediate answer, it does not mean a refusal. Instead, we are simply being tried. We must make every effort to persist in our waiting, ensuring our focus remains unwavering. Ultimately, despite any delay, the Lord Jesus will always respond.
Jesus’s Compassionate and Specific Response
When Jesus finally responded, His question was highly intentional: “What do you want Me to do for you?” He genuinely desired to act for them. Moreover, He wants us to clearly articulate our specific requests to Him. Jesus hears our prayers. He holds our needs in mind when asking what He can do.
Like the blind men, we should directly state our specific needs. The men simply replied, “Lord, we want our sight.” Consequently, Jesus, filled with compassion, touched their eyes. Immediately, they received their sight. This powerful encounter highlights God’s readiness to meet our specific and heartfelt prayers.
The Call to Deeper Following
The gift of sight was not merely for personal convenience or to allow them to go their own way. Instead, their newfound sight instantly prompted them to follow Jesus. When we receive a blessing or spiritual insight from the Lord, its main purpose is deeper fellowship. It calls us into a more profound relationship of following Him.
Whatever the Lord Jesus does for us, He has a greater story He wants to write. He calls us to diligent and patient following, even through trials and testing. God’s grace in our lives is not solely for our individual benefit. It serves a greater good and the accomplishment of His divine purpose. Therefore, as we persist and wait, we must remember His eventual response fulfils His eternal plan. We must keep this in mind, ensuring we do not take His grace for granted. Above all, we must never use His grace for our own selfish interests.
Living It Out
Embrace persisting in prayer when God delays. Keep your focus on Christ, articulating your needs clearly and patiently. Trust His timing and purpose. Understand that His blessings are an invitation to follow Him more deeply, allowing Him to write His story through your life.