How Long?
By Jeannine Sawall
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget
me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”
Psalm 13:1 (NIV)
How
often in our lives can we relate with King David and ask the Lord “How long?” I
know in my own struggles, “How long?” rang out time and again while I watched
friends and family around me birth baby after healthy baby while I lost baby
after baby in miscarriage. “How long, Lord, before I will hold my own baby?”
“How long, Lord, before you take me out of this dark place?” “How long, Lord,
before I feel your presence again?”
As
Christians, we often find ourselves in a time of waiting. Perhaps today you
find yourself in the agonizing days of “How long?” How long will I be
unemployed? How long will my child wrestle with God? How long until I find a
husband?...struggle with ill health?...be united with my loved one whom I miss
in earnest? How long Lord until you return?! How long does life have to
continue to be so difficult? Waiting in “How long” can cause us to become
discouraged and lose hope that God will deliver us!
However,
if we read on in Psalm 13, David, while acknowledging his grief
and frustration, remembers the promises given to him. He reminds himself of
what God has done in the past. He goes on to say, “But I trust in your
unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me” (Psalm 13:5, NIV).
Knowing that David asked questions in hard times can help strengthen our faith.
We no longer have to rely on saying the “right words,” giving Christian
platitudes or the lie of “I’m fine.” We can share our heartsickness with our
loving God, realizing He doesn’t need or want “pretty words.” Instead, He
wants us to share our hurts and frustrations honestly, but also remember to
trust in the promise that He is who He says He is.
We also
have to remember that God works unencumbered by time. He does not wear a watch
and He does not need a calendar app to remind Him how much time has passed.
When we are in a season of “How long,” we are called to follow David’s
commitment…to believe God still is in control, still is unfailing and still
keeps His promises. Sometimes in the midst of difficulties and waiting, our
hearts may not sing the same song our minds tell us to, but
we can embrace the words of belief and trust…no matter how long it
takes.
GOING
DEEPER:
1.
Are you in a season of waiting? How will you show the Lord that you believe He
is faithful?
2.
Have you lost hope because God is taking too long? What could you do today to
re-orient yourself to hope?
FURTHER
READING:
Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great
boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several
behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are
grieving.
