I’ve been wanting to write this devotion for a LONG time. One of my favorite petitions is, “How long, O Lord, how long?” I’ve been so slow to put pen to paper and fingers to the keypad that I felt the Lord asking me, “How long until you write this?!”
December was a sad and busy month for us. My father-in-law passed away. He was an old Methodist farmer. A few days before he died, while lying in his nursing home bed, he said to my husband that he needed help getting through a few gates. Kent told him to go through the Jesus Gate. And a few days later he died (and he did!). My husband’s cousin officiated the memorial service and gave a beautiful message on gates. He talked about how Grandpa first went through the gate of death and then went through heaven’s gate. Everyone who believes in Jesus can go through His gate. How we long for that day!
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9 (NKJV)
Advent (the weeks leading up to Christmas) would have been a good time to share a “How long?” devotion. As we think of the children of Israel awaiting the first coming of their Messiah before He came as a baby. Four hundred years there was silence, with only the Law and the Prophets testifying of His coming. And so they waited, and asked, “How long?”
The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined. Isaiah 9:2 (NKJV)
Today believers also ask, “How long until you come again, O Lord?” As we look at the evil in this world, we cry out to Jesus to come and make things right. Someday He will come to claim His own and we shall all praise Him! Yet even now we praise Him as we wait.
Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You… Lord Jesus, I long for You! I wait for You! My hope is in You! How long, O Lord, how long until You come on the clouds in glory and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father? HalleluYAH! I love You! Come in glory, Lord Jesus, my Hope, and the Hope of all humankind! Amen.
What else am I praying for? I’m crying “How long” for healing and a home. It’s been three long years since we lost our home and most of our belongings to mold. The mold is still in my body, causing much pain, and we are still looking for a healthy place to call home. We know God has a plan and we trust Him and thank Him for providing temporary places, yet still we ask, “How long?” I also cry “How long” until He saves loved ones and sends a Living-Water-River-of-Life-Holy-Spirit-Pour-Down-Revival across this land!
Last year I was asking the Lord, “How long until my third book is published? I am so grateful how He helped me overcome obstacles, for the gracious friends who helped, for the prayer warriors who prayed, and for Jesus’ strength. And I praise the Lord that it is finished! I hope you will read More TEA CUPP Prayers and be blessed!
Did you know God also asks, “How long?” He wonders how long until people turn to Him:
Then the Lord said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? Numbers 14:11 (NKJV)
How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah Psalm 4:2
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” Matthew 17:17 (NKJV)
(See also Numbers 14:27; Joshua 18:3; 1 Kings 18:21; Jeremiah 31:22, Mark 9:19)
Here are some of my favorite How long prayers:
My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O Lord—how long? Psalm 6:3 (NKJV)
How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psalm 13:1–2 (NKJV)
Lord, how long will You look on?
Rescue me from their destructions,
My precious life from the lions. Psalm 35:17 (NKJV)
O God, how long will the adversary reproach?
Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? Psalm 74:10 (NKJV)
How long, Lord?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your wrath burn like fire? Psalm 89:46 (NKJV)
Return, O Lord!
How long?
And have compassion on Your servants. Psalm 90:13 (NKJV)
Lord, how long will the wicked,
How long will the wicked triumph? Psalm 94:3 (NKJV)
(See and pray also: Job 7:19, 19:2; Psalm 40:1, 40:13, 40:17, 62:3, 79:5, 80:4, 82:2; Isaiah 6:11; Jeremiah 12:4; Zechariah 1:12; Habakkuk 1:2)
Today’s TEA CUPP: Pray the Lord’s Prayer: “The Kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Read 2Peter 3. Claim all His promises as you cry out, “How long?” today.
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:10 (NKJV)
Enjoy this Song by the Skit Guys: Come Thou Long expected Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLcTLCCpI5A&list=RDVLcTLCCpI5A&start_radio=1