Are We There Yet?

02.12.13

Psalm 13.1-2 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 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? ESV

Our kids were like other kids when they were young and we took long trips in the car; they asked: are we there yet? When I was a boy my folks drove us as a family from Fairbanks, Alaska to Springfield, Virginia. I think we kids, the youngest who was two and the eldest who was ten, asked often, are we there yet? We saw so much scenery on that particular trip but lost sight of it because we were cooped up and cramped in that car for so long.

I think David, when he wrote Psalm 2, was like the little kid asking: are we there yet? Except his refrain was, How long, O Lord? I think David’s question is the universal question among the saints of God: How long, O Lord, until You act? How long, O Lord until this trial is over? How long, O Lord until I am vindicated? How long, O Lord until I am free to be free? How long, O Lord? How long, O Lord?

The other side of the coin is maybe: Lord, when will Your promises come true? When will evil in this world be vanquished? When will those who abuse power be stopped and their power stripped away? When will lies be exposed? When will secrecy be revealed? How long, O Lord? Are we there yet?

There is something to be said for expectation. There is something to be said for anticipation. There is something to be said for hope. When we ask, How long, O Lord? we’re saying: God I trust You and praise You but I need You! And, I need You sooner than later. If ever there was an indicator that we are merely children it is found in the question: How long, O Lord?

And it is okay to ask God about His timing and His promises, and His patience. He has placed me where I am for what I am and is extremely patient with me when I sigh, How long, O Lord? I want to take short cuts. Even when we drove from Fairbanks to Springfield, I so wished for a shortcut. But there (or was) only one way to go: the way my parents had planned to go as they traveled along and listened to the chorus from the backseat: are we there yet?

Actually, I think God is honored when we call out to Him: How long, O Lord? The question shows He has our attention and we’re focused on the things He’s focused on. I think God is honored when we show we care about what He cares about. And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway: caring about what God cares about?

The difference between us kids and David – aside from the obvious – was that we whined from the backseat; David on the other hand was saying: How long, O Lord? I would if I could but I can’t so I’ll let You… That is what honors God: when we say: O, God! I’ll just let You! I’ll let You handle this because I can’t, and I’m going to learn to trust You in the meantime.

When Jesus asked the question: “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” I think He was looking for those who would ask: "How long, O Lord?” Count me in that number…