By: Pastor Ty Houghtaling
 

How long did Abraham wait for the promised son? How long did King David wait to be the recognized King of Israel and Judah? How long did Jesus wait before He was glorified and brought home to be at the right hand of the Father? How long do we have to wait for true justice? It is a good question; one that is not easily answered.

Psalm 13 raises the question of “how long”. The answer isn’t given in Psalm 13. In fact, God doesn’t seem to answer the question of the Psalmist anywhere in the Bible. What God does say is this, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10).

If you have ever felt like asking, “How long, Lord”, you are not alone. Maybe, you ask because you feel alone and want to know how long you will feel this way. Maybe, you ask because you are in a season of pain; physical, emotional, or psychological pain and you want to know how much longer. Maybe, you are disgusted with politics, with injustice, or with brokenness and you ask, “How long, Lord”. In any case, just know that it is not forever. 2 Peter 3 is a great chapter to consider who God is and why His timing on things matter. It is a good chapter to find out what we should be doing while we wait for Him to act. It is a good chapter to read and reflect on God’s grace.

We are not a patient people. We want what we want, and we want it now. However, it is wise to remember that if we want justice, we had better seek God while we still can.  His justice dictates eternity. If we want freedom, we better seek God now because He is the only true chain breaker. If we want peace, we better seek God now because He is the only one who offers lasting peace. Whatever it is we are waiting for, we should know this – the day is coming when will no longer be able to seek Him and there will be no need to ask “How long?” ever again.

So, if you are asking God “How long?” and feel like He is far from you, do as the Psalmist did in Psalm 13:5-6 and conclude your prayer with, “But, I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.”

Trusting in His unfailing love is all He has ever asked us to do, and it will give us the strength to wait even in our moments of deepest despair. He has not told us exactly when, but He has told us He is coming back again and when He does, all things will be made new! (2 Peter 3:13).

Ty Houghtaling is the Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Artesia.