Last Sunday we heard the cry of Habakkuk the Prophet, “How long, O Lord?” He was distraught about God’s Word being defied and disobeyed (1:4).  And as he continued to agonize in prayer, it seemed as if God were unwilling to listen, unwilling to save.

Now we know, by reading the rest of the story in Habakkuk (and Scripture generally), that God does hear and will save.  But the timing of his actions is often at odds with our hopes, and the way God accomplishes his purposes can utterly confound us (1:5).  So we call out in prayer, “How long, O Lord?”

Maybe it’s your current unemployment, or a health crisis, or being estranged from loved ones, or geo-political chaos:  it’s distressing; you wonder how much you can take.  “How long, O Lord?”

There’s a way of questioning God that’s sinful.  So, in your time of trial, when you feel you can’t go on, first ask the Lord to search your heart:  “Father, before I question you, please question me—probe my soul to disclose any wicked way” (Psalm 139:23-24).

But then, pray on—and speak truthfully.  The Bible includes books like Habakkuk and Psalms of lament to teach us how to pray on dark days—how to bring our pain and fear and despair TO God rather than letting trauma prompt us to turn AWAY from God.

Psalm 13 begins this way:  “How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?  How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” David felt like he’d been forgotten—so he cried out to God honestly.

In fact, over a dozen times the Psalms—inspired Scripture songs—appeal to God, “How long?”  Be ready to echo those prayers, and let them express both your dismay over any ongoing ways of sin in your life or among God’s people, and your zeal for the honor of God as he leads his people on mission to the ends of the earth!