How Long, O LORD?
David asked this question in Psalm 13, describing his angst at not only wrestling with worries and heartbreak, but his sorrow over his enemies who rejoiced over his fallen state.
We can guess who his physical enemies were. King Saul chased David for years. The kings of many nations were fixed on destroying Israel. David even had to flee his son Absalom, who intended to make himself king instead.
No wonder David asked, “Will you forget me, forever?” David was so broken he said he would die unless GOD remembered him and interceded on his behalf.
Lately, I have been asking the same question, though I’ve been having trouble identifying “the enemies” who “are rejoicing over me” when I am moved to tears of sorrow and fear. Ephesians 6:12 says, “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We can’t always see what we are fighting with our eyes. Our fight is in our minds and spirits, but the enemy is just as real.
Reading the Psalms has been very helpful to me. I see writers cry out to GOD without censoring their laments. In the beginning, their complaints seem to make no mention of how GOD has answered their calls in the past–no mention of their knowledge of GOD. They mournfully spill out their grievances to the only One who can save them. But at the end of their lament, they praise GOD for his mercy and grace. See what David writes at the end of Psalm 13: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise for He has been good to me.” Lamenting psalms still often contain praise and thanksgiving because the writer knows GOD is faithful and true to the covenant He made with Israel.
We can know this too. It’s okay to ask GOD Why? And How long, O LORD? Our GOD invites us to question Him. “Come now, let us settle the matter, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18)
—Robin Miyashiro