First, I who have been very happily married for over 53 years cannot say I know how you feel.

However, any who have waited a long time for God to answer a fervent prayer, and a long standing desire have somewhat in common.

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

It is never easy to wait for something we sincerely, even desperately want, especially when that desire is not only good, it is divinely approved by God.

Recently, I wrote a book after God patiently reminded me that He had already given me several answers to prayer that I had not even recognized, or been aware of. Please allow me to share some of those thoughts with you.

What can stir us to believe quicker than seeing that God really loves us, really cares about our desires (please remember the word desires), and has already answered many of our prayers.

My first thought in writing this article is to urge you to be patient, accept your circumstances, etc., etc. I cannot do this when the Holy Spirit is urging me to encourage you to have faith, and not accept no for an answer unless that is what God has said to you.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to be patient with God. Our very being wants to cry out to God and tell Him that if He really loved us, He would give us our heart’s desire. And it may be because that is more correct than we realize. Let me share some powerful Bible verses with you.

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6

[14] And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

[15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Now, let me go a little further with this faith thing. The following are two scripture passages that God has made real to me. These have had the effect of causing me to hang on to my expectations with the tenacity of a Bulldog.

[2] And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

[3] For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:2-3

No, it is not double talk. It is not a contradiction. God is telling us to hang on and not give up.

He is saying, “Though your desire and vision may be delayed, it will not be destroyed.”

The second scripture God has made so real to me is the one that inspired my latest book.

[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Yes, He is able to go beyond our thoughts. This was very difficult for me to accept because I have big dreams and big goals. However, one day I realized He had already accomplished it more than once.

Please don’t give in to fear, failure, or despair. Stay in the Word of God on a daily basis. And while you are praying, dreaming, and waiting, believe that He is a good God and wants the best for you.

Be active and faithful in your local church.

Read these faith passages every day, along with your regular devotions. Who knows what God will do for you while you are busy serving Him?

Unless God has definitely told you that you are to remain single, open up your heart to faith once again. And if God has definitely told you to remain single, He will bless your singleness with His outstanding blessings.

While you are faithfully (notice I didn’t say patiently) waiting, heed the sage advice from Solomon.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10

Stay busy in the service of our Lord. I thank God for the single individuals in our church, some of whom have had opportunities to marry, but discerned wisely that not every opportunity comes from God.

May the Lord richly bless you as you fervently serve Him!

In Him,

William F. Hill

William F. Hill pioneered the Calvary Evangelistic Center in Independence, Iowa and has pastored there for over 39 years.  Eight years later he founded the Independence Christian Academy, grades K-12.  He has also written over twenty books and over twenty religious pamphlets, which are featured at www.holinessliterature.com

Their church website is found at
www.calvary-center.com