By F. D. Adkins
In Psalm 13, David is asking the same question so many of us have asked in the midst of a trial or valley in our lives, and it’s probably a question crossing many of our minds at this very moment as we look at the chaos ripping and tearing away in the world around us. David laments to the Lord, “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2 KJV).
And as we wonder “how long we must wait for God to act”, maybe we can relate to Asaph in Psalm 73, pondering if God does not see goodness suffering while evil prevails. Asaph pleads, “And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches” (Psalm 73:12 KJV).
In Revelation 6, the martyrs cry, “…How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10 KJV). And God answers them, “…that they should rest yet for a little season…” (Revelation 6:11 KJV).
Waiting is not easy, especially in times of difficulty, but then I stop to think about how God has waited for me. When I resisted his call, He waited. When I turned away, He waited. When I wanted to do things my way, He waited. And when I finally came to Him, He showed me mercy. Isaiah 30:8 says, “And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him” (KJV).
God is good. He is merciful. He is patient.
What is He waiting for?
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 KJV
