Like me, many of you were probably raised to believe that men are supposed to be providers, protectors, and producers for their families. This is the most basic of lessons for women growing up in an era where being a wife was greatly esteemed. The women I grew up around expected their husbands to be as honorable, loyal, and loving as they were, and I was blessed to see couples that worked at it and made this ideal their reality. These men understood that their roles required humility and wisdom, and because they were obedient to honor God, He blessed their marriages and their families. This is God’s plan, and it still works today.
Jeremiah 29:11(NLT) tells us, ““For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Our Heavenly Father told His people this to remind them that He is not slack, and He doesn’t miss any details. He’s the Creator, not us. He knows His Will and Word, and when we know and trust it, we will receive His rewards. He said in Isaiah 55:11(NLT), “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” His Word produces fruit, and it prospers everything and everywhere He sends it. If fruitfulness is what we desire, we must be anchored in God’s Word.
It’s no secret that God has placed within the man everything he needs to provide for his family, to protect his home through prayer and faith, and to produce for God’s Kingdom by producing children that will grow up to be men and women that honor God as well. These are supremely honorable assignments that come prepackaged in the man. This lets us know as women that we can have expectations that equal what God has assigned and anointed. But not every woman’s expectations are met in this area, and they are not receiving anywhere close to this.
There is no shortage of good men. God is faithful, and His plan is magnificently perfect. There is no lack in Him, therefore, it is impossible for lack to exist in His plan. Should she desire marriage, there is a man for every woman that is seeking to please God and put Him first in her life. God has taken care of this. You might say, “Well, I’ve been praying for him to arrive for a long time. Where is he?” God would answer and ask, “I know where he is, where are you?”
Romans 5:5 (NLT) says, “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” It is impossible for God to fail, and He never disappoints. So, it is always about us being where we need to be spiritually.
After Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:9(NLT) tells us, “Then the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”” Heavenly Father knows everything. He knew Adam’s physical location, but God is teaching us that spiritually, Adam had left the premises. Spiritually, Adam had disconnected himself from God, and our Heavenly Father is showing us that when we’re not where we’re supposed to be spiritually, we’re going to miss out. Not only are we going to miss what God is doing externally, but more to the point, we’re missing what He wants to do internally. That’s where the work of the Spirit of Christ is needed most.
You might ask, “Does God really have a man for me and if He does, what’s taking him so long?” God has so much in store for each of us, but make no mistake, it is our responsibility and privilege to get into position spiritually by increasing in the mind and heart of Christ through God’s Word. We can’t continue to do, think, and say the same things repeatedly, and expect a different result. Some things about the current way we’re operating in our lives will have to change. This was a very challenging and uncomfortable truth that I had to come to grips with at a crucial point in my life. We must remember that it’s not all about our desires. It’s about growing in the Lord and allowing His love to be at work in us. It’s about fully surrendering to Him, and when we are willing to do this, God will make sure we’re in the right place at the right time to receive His blessings. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“What’s Taking God So Long?”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2022. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.