“How Long, O Lord?”

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.”— Psalm 52:8-9a

Spring is definitely dawdling.

This past weekend we received a blizzard, dumping 15-22 inches of snow in the city where I live. We got plowed out on Monday, snow has melted a little, and we are set to receive some more tonight. When will it end?

I watch the robins hop around on the snow outside my kitchen window, picking up little crab apple berries on the ground. They are so light they don’t even sink in the snow. I have walked snowy trails with my dog and watched the geese on the lake sitting on ice, sometimes finding a patch of open water to swim in. I feel for the birds. I think I speak for most of us around here: “O Lord, how long?” How long must we endure this relentless winter, when our souls yearn for sun and warmth, and flowers, and green grass?

I think those words can be applied to many things in life, often unpleasant things, or uncomfortable things. How long, O Lord, must we deal with poverty, or hate, or crime, or injustice? How long, O Lord, must I deal with this disease, or this bad job, or this bad relationship, or this challenging season? How long, O Lord? The psalmists, the prophets, and even we at times, cry out, “O Lord, how long?”

But I like the Scripture above, written by David. David endured hardship, fear, joy, doubt, and wasn’t afraid to tell God his feelings. Despite challenges in life, David utters these words that can speak to us today, and two words that stick out to me are “trust” and “hope.” We can trust in God’s unfailing love. We can hope because His name is good. These are the very things we can cling to, the very things left standing.

If the words in your soul today are “O Lord, how long?”, then take heart. Pray through the Scripture above. Seek God. Stretch out your arms to Him. And know that you can flourish too, as you trust in His love and because His name is good.

Prayer–“Gracious God, at times things in life feel way too long. I get tired and discouraged. But today I pray to trust in Your unfailing love because Your name is good. Help me flourish no matter what I am going through. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”