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Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: how long


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Even So

Reading: Psalm 13

Verse 3: “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.”

Psalm 13 begins with four sentences that all begin “How long…?” David is asking how long will this horrible situation last? How long will God take to bring relief, comfort, healing, resolution? Although we do not know if this is a personal prayer or a corporate prayer from David, we do know that we’ve prayed these “how long” prayers again and again, for ourselves and for others.

David continues in verse 3, writing, “Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes.” He is begging for, pleading for God to respond. He wants light to see the way through. We note that David is not praying for an answer already in mind. He is praying for God to light the way forward, trusting in God’s light and direction. The rest of verse 3 reveals the depth of the situation: “or I will sleep in death.” The end of the rope has been reached. The grip is failing. O God, answer!

Verses 5 and 6 are “even so” verses. The answer hasn’t come. He feels all alone. David cannot yet see the light. But even so he declares trust in God’s “unfailing love.” He rejoices in the salvation that he knows is secure. And David chooses to sing a song to the God who has been good again and again and again. As we wait upon the Lord may we do so with such trust and faith. From that place, may we praise our good, good God.

Prayer: Lord God, in moments when I cannot sense your presence, give me the strength to trust and the heart to praise you. When the dark feels too much, bring a sliver of light, prompting me to choose faith over fear. Amen.


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God’s Voice

Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4 and 2:1-4

Verse 2:1 – “I will stand at my watch… I will look to see what he will say to me”.

Habakkuk is a prophet that wrestles with God. The book and our passage opens up with Habakkuk asking God, “How long, O Lord…”? It is a question that people have asked almost since the dawn of time. It is a question that we each have probably asked many times as well. Habakkuk sees injustice and destruction and violence and he wonders why God tolerates such things. What Habakkuk sees sounds familiar in our day and age as well. People continue to ask God how such things are tolerated if God is indeed good and loving. If left unresolved these questions can lead to doubt and even mistrust of God.

Habakkuk engages God with the how long and why questions. But Habakkuk does one more very important thing – he sticks to it. He prays to God and then awaits an answer. In 2:1 we read, “I will stand at my watch… I will look to see what he will say to me”. He throws out the questions and then waits for God’s answers. It is neither a passive waiting nor one given up on quickly. No, Habakkuk persists in his waiting. It is the only sincere and faithful response when one poses a big question to God. Habakkuk’s desire to see the world become a better place fuels his willingness to wait upon God. It is a serious commitment to a serious faith.

God does respond. Habakkuk is instructed to “write down the revelation”. God reveals that yes there is a plan and an appointed time for that plan to occur. God encourages Habakkuk to “wait for it”. Our passage ends with “the righteous will live by his faith”. It is a good reminder.

As we turn to God with our big questions and deep desires, may we remember both Habakkuk’s persistence and God’s faithfulness. May we too learn to wait and to listen well for God’s voice.

Prayer: Lord God, bring me some persistence and some patience. Too often I lift a prayer and then move right on to the next thing. Strengthen me to remain in the moment, to wait upon your voice. May it be so. Amen.