Job 35:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Frequently, the effectiveness of our prayers is enhanced by the wait; even when our pleas seem overlooked, our yearnings can find fuller realization within the depths of our hearts. Just as the seeds of a harvest endure the harshness of frost yet ultimately thrive, our aspirations may face postponement to achieve greater fulfillment and strength in what brings us joy. The journey towards our rewards may be slow, but through patience, we are prepared for a more profound success. When the Lord appears to delay His response, He draws His people closer, even as He could choose to disregard them. He truly acts as our spiritual Physician, cleansing us of the ailments of sin that reside within. Through the adversity He permits, He extracts the poison of wrongdoing; the longer He appears not to heed our cries, the nearer He brings us to healing. The prophet articulates this frustration: "O my God, I cry day by day, and Thou hearest not; and I cry by night, and not to my folly" (Psalm 21:3). This implies that his cries, persistent both day and night, are not in folly; rather, through this silence, God imparts to him deeper heavenly wisdom, albeit amid worldly trials. Additionally, he states, "Opportunities help in anxiety" (Psalm 9:9), where he acknowledges that restlessness can harm us, yet the timing for our aid may not align with our longing for relief. Therefore, it stands that God will not hear without a cause, and the Most High will assess each person's situation individually. Yet, it is also true that some may falter when assistance arrives later than anticipated.