Introduction

Faith in the In-Between

The phrase “between the promise and the answer” describes more than a chronological gap. It describes a spiritual environment. In that environment, faith and fear compete to interpret the same facts. One says, “Nothing has happened yet.” The other adds, “Therefore nothing will happen.” One says, “I am disappointed.” The other adds, “Therefore God has failed me.” One says, “I thought this would happen by now.” The other adds, “Therefore I must force it.” The extra sentence is where much of the battle occurs. Biblical faith does not require the removal of every question before obedience can continue. In fact, many of Scripture’s most important acts of faith occur under conditions of incomplete information. Abraham goes without a map. Joseph serves without a timeline. Hannah prays without a guarantee. David refuses to seize a throne. Habakkuk stands at a watchtower. Martha confesses faith while Lazarus is still dead. Paul discovers grace in a prayer that is not answered by removal. This does not mean all delays are divinely scheduled lessons. Some delays arise from human systems, injustice, poor planning, limited resources, illness, other people’s freedom, our own mistakes, or ordinary process. Some spiritual interpretations are wrong. Some prophecies are mistaken. Some desires are good but not promised. Wisdom begins when we resist the urge to explain more than we know. The book therefore follows three commitments. First, Scripture governs. Second, pain is allowed to be honest. Third, responsibility remains active. We will not use surrender as a name for passivity, and we will not use faith as a name for denial. We will ask what God has

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