How long?

After writing last week’s post regarding the importance of prophecy, I came to the realization that people are not just asking “what is happening next?” But Christians who are eagerly waiting on the Lord’s return are asking “how long?” How long are we to deal with such craziness, how long are we to see wickedness control the world, how long are we to see injustice prevail, how long are we to see the orphan, the widow, and the unborn mistreated? How long are we to see the innocent abused?

This is a great question, and a question that I want to dive into with you. Today we are not talking about the rapture, but rather something else. The waiting game to such a blessed hope event. In every believer’s life, there has been a time where they have questioned God and asked “how long?” it could be for many things, from trials, to life’s events, to anything in between, we typically ask God this sooner or later.

Is it right to ask God? We can see from David in Psalms 13 that this is exactly what David was asking God. “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” Psalm 13:1. David felt as if God was growing farther away from him, that their relationship was distancing. I have felt that at times and wondered if God had abandoned me, “How long will you hide your face from me?” Psalm 13:1. In times like today, many Christians who are living for God are starting to really feel the heat of the world against them, if you are in the United States, the hostility is to the point you can be arrested for going to church! Feel free to protest and dance in the streets together, but don’t you dare worship and praise God together. For Christians in the Middle East, Asia, and other places, your persecution has grown to the point you might be crying out asking “How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my Heart all day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:2-3. We can trust in the Lord and know that He hears our cry! “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous” Proverbs 15:29. The believer today must remember that nothing can separate us from the love and power which is in Christ Jesus! There might be times in which we feel as David “Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,” Psalms 13:3 but this is only temporary, for our God is a God who is alive and is near us presently and in the future. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39.

We as believers must remember that our enemy has been given this time, so that no one will perish who God, in His ultimate power, knows will come to Him, “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2nd Peter 3:9. This can be tough for those of us who are already saved and must deal with the issues of this world, but that is ok, for even though our enemies say “ and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him’ and my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.” Psalms 13:4 we know God will have His day. As Christians now we can look at the Saints of the Tribulation and see how they ask the same question to God, “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; 10 and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.” Revelation 6:9-11.

Asking God is not a sin, however why we ask can make it a sin or not. David in chapter 13 has asked God several times how much longer, he even has given a description of what his enemies are doing. Yet, David has not lost faith in God, we see in these final verses that he has kept his heart right with God. “But I have trusted in your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” Psalm 13:5. We see here that David is asking but keeps his purpose in asking set accurately and humbly on God’s timing. If we have a question, God has no issue with us coming up and asking. Look at the disciples in their countless questions asking Jesus to explain over and over different lessons.

Until God decides to answer the question of “how long?” with “come up here” Revelation 4:1 we are to keep with our Master’s work. Our job should be to follow Jesus Christ’s orders of “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching, them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. A simple calling but one of great magnitude and importance. As we see what is going on, it could become a challenge to continue in what Christ has called us to do, yet I am encouraged in what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7:1 “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” So, as we continue in our daily work right now, we see the craziness of the world and how dark times are becoming, do not lose hope. As Titus chapter 2 states “Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.9 Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” Titus 2:6-15. Encourage one another and hold fast to God’s word, tell other believers of your struggles, the Church is designed to be in communion with each other. Look and encourage one another for the Blessed Hope which is Jesus Christ, I can assure you that the days are only going to get worse for the followers of Christ, but as they do we know our departure of this world is coming closer. Just like David, there are times we are going to cry out and ask God how much longer, yet do not let our questioning be a stumbling block for our faith. Humbly ask and seek what He says in His word. Finally, remember this, as we ask God “how long?” let us also state in our same prayer and actions the final verse of Psalm 13, “I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” Our God has started a wonderful work in our life and as we study His word and eagerly yearn for His fellowship, we can see the blessing of peace, joy, and courage that only He can give.

Hold until relieved, Our blessed Hope is coming

JL