When God’s Salvation Feels Delayed: Faith, Divine Timing, and Hope

God is all-powerful, and nothing can prevent Him from bringing us salvation. Sometimes, however, the time for salvation has not yet arrived, but with strong faith we can hasten its arrival.

The Baal Shem Tov and the Water in the Desert

A story is told about the Baal Shem Tov who once traveled with a student. On the way, their water ran out and the student told his teacher he was thirsty. The Baal Shem Tov asked him: “Do you believe that God can send us water right here in this desolate place — but believe it truly?” The student replied: “Not yet, not completely.”

For three days, the Baal Shem Tov kept asking the same question: “Do you believe God can send us water here?” And each time, the student answered that he still didn’t fully believe. After three days, when the rabbi asked again, the student finally said, “Yes. Now I truly believe it.”

Suddenly, a non-Jew appeared before them with a bucket of water and offered them to drink. Surprised, the Baal Shem Tov and his student asked him where he had come from. He answered: “Three days ago, my master went mad and commanded me to take a bucket of water and give it to anyone I met on the road. For three days I’ve been wandering aimlessly — and only now have I finally met you.”

We learn from this story that sometimes salvation is already prepared, but if a person’s faith is not strong enough, its arrival is delayed. The moment a person truly believes that God can help them, the salvation arrives.

Joseph’s Redemption

Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz explains as follows: The Torah says: “And it came to pass at the end of two full years that Pharaoh dreamed a dream” (Bereishit 41:1). Joseph had been in prison for two years, and then Pharaoh’s dream led to his release and rise to power. What is the connection between Joseph’s two years in the pit and Pharaoh’s dream?

The holy Or HaChaim explains that Pharaoh actually dreamed that same dream every day for two years, but each morning he would forget it completely. Only after two full years did he wake up and remember the dream. God had already prepared Joseph’s salvation from the moment he entered the pit, but He was waiting for Joseph to reach the level of faith and trust appropriate for his high spiritual stature. Every day Pharaoh dreamed, ready for the moment that Joseph would be worthy. On the day Joseph achieved that faith, Pharaoh finally remembered the dream — and immediately called Joseph, who interpreted it and became second to the king.

Strengthening Faith When Salvation Seems Delayed

When salvation seems slow in coming, we must strengthen ourselves with the knowledge that God is all-powerful and can deliver us at any moment.

Let us not fall into despair on the way to redemption, but keep in mind that every trial has an end.