The Discipline of Delay
Published January 14, 2026
Exodus 1-6
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 | Brandon Bachtel
Have you ever been in a hurry when God didn’t seem to be? I have. Patience is often something I lack. When I’m tempted to rush, I’m reminded of an old proverb: “Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can. Found seldom in a woman, never in a man.” While said in humor, the truth remains—patience is learned through trusting God while we wait.
As Exodus opens, it picks up where Genesis ends. Israel is waiting. Seventy Israelites entered Egypt seeking provision during a severe famine. Surely God’s covenant promise to Abraham, given over two centuries earlier, lingered in their minds. In Genesis 12:1–3, God promised to make Abraham’s descendants a great nation and a blessing to all the families of the earth.
During their waiting, Israel grew in number and strength (Genesis 47:27). Yet they must have wondered, “When will God come through?” Before his death, Joseph reassured them, saying, “God will visit you and bring you up out of this land” (Genesis 50:24). Though they could not see it at the time, God was using their years in Egypt to prepare His people for what was to come.
As Exodus opens, it picks up where Genesis ends. Israel is waiting. Seventy Israelites entered Egypt seeking provision during a severe famine. Surely God’s covenant promise to Abraham, given over two centuries earlier, lingered in their minds. In Genesis 12:1–3, God promised to make Abraham’s descendants a great nation and a blessing to all the families of the earth.
During their waiting, Israel grew in number and strength (Genesis 47:27). Yet they must have wondered, “When will God come through?” Before his death, Joseph reassured them, saying, “God will visit you and bring you up out of this land” (Genesis 50:24). Though they could not see it at the time, God was using their years in Egypt to prepare His people for what was to come.
What about you? Are you waiting on long-overdue answers?
Do you struggle to see God’s purpose in the waiting?
Are your tired and tempted to throw in the towel?
Do you struggle to see God’s purpose in the waiting?
Are your tired and tempted to throw in the towel?
You are not alone.
Israel endured centuries of affliction before deliverance (Genesis 15:13). Moses waited in Midian. Caleb and Joshua waited for the Promised Land. Paul waited in prison. Even Jesus waited for the appointed time to begin His ministry.
God uses seasons of waiting to grow us and to teach us the discipline of delay. Many of His lessons come slowly, but always in His perfect timing (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 10:35–36). Paul reminds us that present afflictions are preparing us for an eternal glory far greater than anything we can see now (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).
Though life brings pain and uncertainty, God is at work.
God uses seasons of waiting to grow us and to teach us the discipline of delay. Many of His lessons come slowly, but always in His perfect timing (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 10:35–36). Paul reminds us that present afflictions are preparing us for an eternal glory far greater than anything we can see now (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).
Though life brings pain and uncertainty, God is at work.
By cultivating patience—the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)—our hearts are strengthened for the Lord’s coming (James 5:7–8), and we learn to love others with Christlike endurance until we see our King face to face.