How Long, Lord?

Rachel knew God's promises, but she wondered when they'd come true. She was a young woman with health problems the size of an older person's. Degenerative arthritis plagued her joints and back. Several female operations had left her unable to have children. In fact, she was fortunate that her situation hadn't turned into cancer. Other surgeries had taken care of a diseased gall bladder and a protruding hernia. Now, a malfunctioning heart was the issue. Her heart flopped and fluttered. Tests revealed severe premature ventricular contractions. Medicine didn't seem to help. If they weren't calmed down, they could damage her heart. Through all of her health challenges, Rachel never stopped trusting God, but she couldn't help but wonder when God's promises to take care of her would come true.

Psalm 119:82 – My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? (NLT)

Perhaps, Ezra the priest was the author of this lengthy psalm. He was caught up in the Babylonian captivity. Seventy years would pass before God would raise up a new ruler who would allow His people to return to their homeland. Ezra would have the privilege of leading some of them back, but he languished in sorrow for a number of years before he saw God's promise come true.

I, too, have meandered through lean periods when I wondered if God had forgotten His promises to me. I've never been homeless or had completely bare cabinets, but I have lived in undesirable places and had less to eat than I wanted. Like Rachel, I've endured medical issues that seemed to last forever, and I've wondered when God was going to come through with a healing. And though God promises not to let temptations become overbearing, there have been some that I didn't seem to see a way out of.

Though God's comfort occasionally appears slow in arriving, it always comes — in the correct measure and at the right moment. He never forgets His promises nor reneges on them. He always sends an answer to my prayers, comforts me in my pain, and assures me through my misunderstandings.

Let God's promises be your stronghold in life's difficult times.

Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your promises that are steadfast and sure. Amen.