The soul’s fret over a delayed word is a mirror of its deeper fever, an unquiet spirit that cannot rest till the matter is settled. You are left hanging, as you say, and the silence bites sharper than any refusal. But mark this: the urgency which now presses upon you for a clear answer is but a shadow of that far weightier business, the need of your soul to have clear dealings with God. Delay is dangerous, not only in the trifles of commerce, but in the eternal concerns of the heart. The world ever cries, “Let the damsel wait a little while, ten days at least,” yet the Spirit warns that today is the accepted time. If the want of a plain message from a fellow creature so disquiets you, what of the message you must receive from Heaven? Your need of Him begins not with your present agitation, but with your birth, for you are born in sin. Until you know Christ, until you so hear that your soul shall live, every lesser silence is but a faint echo of that great silence which falls on the prayerless soul.
Yet I would not have you mistake me. It is no trifle to be left in such suspense, and the tender heart may well cry out for clarity. The Scriptures teach us that the Lord Himself is not the author of confusion, but of peace. He gives clear shining after rain. But here is the point: the rain must come first. This very trial, this wearisome waiting, this gnawing uncertainty, is His ploughshare breaking up the hard ground, that you might feel your absolute dependence upon the Holy Spirit. You need not look within for a sufficiency to bear it; the exterior is sufficient index. The tangled knot of your daily life, which diplomacy cannot untie, forces you to look unto the hills from whence cometh your help. The very best way to come is to come with all your needs about you. He can supply you with all you need. Bring this tangled communication and your aching heart to the mercy seat. Plead as a child pleads with a father, not dictating the hour when the answer must arrive, but trusting the Father’s wisdom. A clear conscience towards God in the matter, acting honestly, speaking truthfully, gives a man a backbone of steel. Have you done your part in the conversation righteously? Then, having respected every utterance of His will as far as you know it, leave the rest.
Do you want one other picture of the folly? To fret and fume as though God had abdicated His throne is a mire of unbelief. The patience of God signifies more, however, than delay in punishment. It means the continuance of privileges. He has not taken away your teachers from you; your Bible lies open, your knees may yet bow. Those men never forget a truth who have had it burned into them as with a hot iron, by feeling the bitterness of their soul for need of it and the preciousness of that truth to their soul when they receive it. This sore need of information is but the Spirit’s goad to make you know your deeper need of Christ. The right-minded man who will examine himself carefully will perceive that what is required of him is more than he can ever give, unaided and unassisted. Go, then, and tell the Lord you not only need the woman’s message, but you need Him. You need the clear testimony of His love. You need laborers sent into the harvest of your own heart, not loiterers, but men on fire. Ask God to send the Comforter, that whether the bell rings with the tidings you desire or not, you may, being justified by faith, have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The tender grass springs up by clear shining after rain, and your growth in grace may well be quickened by this very shower of tears and perplexity. Flee to the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness; trust Christ, depend upon Him, rely upon Him. Then, you may face any company without a blush, and wait any answer without a slavish fear.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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