The Lord met Saul of Tarsus on the way to Damascus where he was going to persecute the saints. In that blistering encounter in the noonday, he temporarily lost his vision. His restoration would not come until he had entered the city for further instruction. Meanwhile, God had told another disciple, Ananias, to go and minister to Saul. Initially this disciple was jittery, having heard so many terrible stories about Saul. God had to bring assurances his way not to be afraid. Ananias eventually went, prayed for Saul to receive his sight, and got him baptized in water.  Imagine if Ananias did not obey the Lord as soon as possible!  Saul would have groped in darkness a little longer than God had intended.

Both partial obedience and delayed obedience are a hinderance to the plans and purposes of God.

When you fail to obey the Lord fully and in time, the lifeline that God wants to give to others through you may be delayed. That would mean additional suffering for someone. The same is true for you. When you pray, God may choose to push answer to you through somebody else. Unless that person promptly obeys the Lord, your waiting period may be extended unduly. Really, sometimes when we think God is delaying, it could be His human agents that are not cooperating. It is important to stress that we cannot obey God on our own terms. Choosing to obey God on our own terms is what leads to partial or delayed obedience. Both partial obedience and delayed obedience are a hinderance to the plans and purposes of God. True obedience is both prompt and total, and this is how the fullness of blessings come our way.