CAUSES OF DELAY AND HOW TO STAY FREE

CAUSES OF DELAY AND HOW TO STAY FREE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Daniel 10:12-13

“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days…”

Supporting Texts: Proverbs 13:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Isaiah 60:22, Galatians 6:9, Psalm 102:13

INTRODUCTION:
Delay can be one of the most painful and frustrating experiences in life. It is a prolonged waiting period that keeps a person from walking in divine timing. While some delays are divinely orchestrated for growth and preparation, many are caused by demonic interference, personal errors, and spiritual negligence. The devil understands that if he cannot destroy a believer, he will try to delay him.

Many people have missed their seasons, lost opportunities, and become weary in faith because of prolonged delays. However, delay is not the end. Through insight, spiritual warfare, and right positioning, every delay can be broken and divine timing restored.

In this teaching, we shall analyse the causes of delay and also look at biblical strategies to stay permanently free from it.

1. MAJOR CAUSES OF DELAY

There are both natural and spiritual factors that contribute to delay.

a) Sin and disobedience (Isaiah 59:1-2)
When we live in sin or refuse God's instructions, we hinder our progress.

b) Demonic resistance (Daniel 10:13)
Spiritual powers can delay answers and hinder divine intervention.

c) Ignorance of divine timing (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6)
Lack of discernment can cause us to miss appointed seasons.

d) Fear and unbelief (Hebrews 3:18-19)
When faith is absent, progress is impossible.

e) Biblical Example: The Israelites spent 40 years on a journey meant for 11 days due to unbelief (Deuteronomy 1:2-3).

2. HOW DELAY MANIFESTS IN PEOPLE’S LIVES

Delay is not always obvious; it often hides in repeated cycles.

a) Repeated struggles without progress (Job 14:1)
Life becomes full of labour but without result.

b) Near-success syndrome (Deuteronomy 28:29)
Opportunities come close but never materialise.

c) Prolonged waiting without fulfilment (Proverbs 13:12)
Hope deferred makes the heart sick.

d) Dreams and prophecies unfulfilled for years (Genesis 37:5–41:41)
Joseph’s dreams took years to manifest.

e) Biblical Example: Sarah waited many years for Isaac despite God’s promise (Genesis 18:10–14).

3. HOW TO BREAK FREE FROM DELAY

Deliverance from delay is possible through deliberate spiritual actions.

a) Repentance and consecration (2 Chronicles 7:14)
A life aligned with God invites divine speed.

b) Aggressive prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21)
Some delays can only be broken through intense spiritual warfare.

c) Prophetic instruction and obedience (2 Kings 5:10-14)
Obedience to divine direction unlocks movement.

d) Faith declarations and speaking life (Job 22:28)
Words carry power to release progress.

e) Biblical Example: Esther called for a fast and gained divine favour to reverse a national delay (Esther 4:16, 5:1-3).

4. HOW TO STAY FREE FROM DELAY

Sustaining deliverance is as important as obtaining it.

a) Live a life of obedience and holiness (Isaiah 1:19)
Obedience keeps the door of divine access open.

b) Maintain a strong prayer altar (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Constant prayer keeps satanic resistance broken.

c) Stay in divine alignment and purpose (Romans 8:28)
When you are in purpose, God ensures your progress.

d) Avoid wrong relationships and environments (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Evil associations can delay or derail destiny.

e) Biblical Example: David always inquired of the Lord before making decisions and thus stayed on course (2 Samuel 5:19-25).

5. STEPPING INTO DIVINE TIMING AND SPEED

God not only delivers from delay but grants supernatural acceleration.

a) Divine speed is a covenant blessing (Isaiah 60:22)
What was delayed can suddenly be accelerated.

b) God restores lost years (Joel 2:25)
Even time lost to delay can be recovered.

c) Grace empowers divine fulfilment (Zechariah 4:6-7)
Not by strength, but by grace.

d) Divine favour removes human limitations (Psalm 102:13)
Favour ushers in long-awaited breakthroughs.

e) Biblical Example: Elijah outran Ahab’s chariot by divine speed (1 Kings 18:46).

PRAYER POINTS:

O Lord, every root of delay in my life, be uprooted by fire.

I receive divine speed to overtake and recover all.

Every satanic resistance to my breakthrough, scatter by fire.

Father, align me with my appointed time of fulfilment.

By the blood of Jesus, I break every generational curse of delay.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

From today, you are moving from delay into divine fulfilment!

Every force resisting your progress is destroyed now!

You will no longer miss your appointed time!

What others wait years for will come to you speedily!

You are stepping into divine acceleration and unending favour!