Notable quotes:
"The immediate goodness of God comes to all who call upon Him with real intent and full purpose of heart. This includes those who cry out in earnest desperation, when deliverance seems distant and suffering prolonged, even intensified."
"God also gives immediate hope for eventual deliverance. No matter what, no matter where, in Christ and through Christ there is always hope smiling brightly before us. Immediately before us."
"Above all, God’s love is immediate. … Even our sins, though they may separate us from His Spirit for a time, cannot separate us from the constancy and immediacy of His divine paternal love."
Summary points:
God’s timing is different than man’s. “Patience is key.” But even as individuals “wait upon the Lord,” there are blessings that can come immediately.To those who patiently wait for deliverance, the Lord can show forth His goodness with certain immediate blessings — such as peace, hope and feeling God’s love.Jesus Christ is the Great Deliverer and “He will deliver you from everything that threatens to diminish or destroy your life or joy.”
Talk summary:
God’s timing is different than man’s. “Patience is key. Without it, we can neither develop nor demonstrate faith in God unto life and salvation.”
But even as individuals “wait upon the Lord,” there are blessings that can come immediately.
For example, although Alma and his people prayed for deliverance from bondage to the Lamanites, they were not immediately delivered. “But while they patiently waited for deliverance, the Lord showed forth His goodness with certain immediate blessings.” He softened the hearts of the Lamanites and strengthened Alma’s people to ease their burdens so that when they were eventually delivered, they marveled, “And … when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of ... bondage they did raise their voices and give thanks to God” (Mosiah 25:10).
The immediate goodness of God can come to those who call upon Him with real intent and full purpose of heart, including those “who cry out in earnest desperation, when deliverance seems distant and suffering seems prolonged, even intensified.”
The young Prophet Joseph Smith cried out in Liberty Jail, “O God, where art thou?” In response, Joseph was not immediately delivered, but the Lord provided immediate peace.
“God also give immediate hope for eventual deliverance. No matter what, no matter where, in Christ and through Christ there is always hope smiling brightly before us. Immediately before us.”
But, above all, God’s love is immediate. “Even our sins, though they may separate us from His Spirit for a time, cannot separate us from the constancy and immediacy of His divine paternal love.”
About the speaker:
Kyle McKay was born in 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, to Barrie Gunn McKay and Elaine Stirland McKay.Apart from his family and the Church, Elder McKay says his greatest passion is being on his horse in the mountains.He took a break from his studies in 1979 to serve a full-time mission in Kobe, Japan, and then returned to BYU to complete his degree in English.He married Jennifer Stone in 1984. They are the parents of nine children.
