There I was making dinner, listening to worship music and thinking. Before I knew it the question came rushing back again…
“How long, Lord?”
It’s a question I’ve been asking a lot lately.
I never imagined my life would look like this.
I wonder…have you been there too? It’s a difficult place to be, isn’t it?
Please hear me, I trust & love the Lord deeply. I know He sees what I can’t & can redeem anything. All according to His will and timing.
Knowing that doesn’t mean that I won’t feel pain & frustration. Actually, it’s in the knowing that I experience all the emotions.
When the wave of how longs come in I have to steady myself on the Rock.
How long…
…before relief
…will he stay gone
…until my family is restored
…will the oppression last
…until healing
…do I stay silent
…before this is over
Oh my friend, the list of how longs has so many possibilities, doesn’t it?
I want to share some hope with you that the Lord shared with me-
Those Psalms are so rich with meaning. Each & every verse spoke to my heart only in the way that He can.
Both of those Psalms ended with an instruction to “wait for the Lord.” He is my blessed hope and I will wait.
In the waiting I need to stay close to Him. It’s the only way I’ll be able to take each next step.
I am gifted by a personal Savior who knows my heart better than I do. He hears the concerns in my thoughts.
And…He takes me right to His Word for answers.
Sometimes the answers don’t come in ways I expect. I want my situation to change and He knows the first change that needs to happen is in my heart.
The enemy wants all the “how longs” to leave me hopeless. My God of hope already has victory over each & every one!
He has walked me through some glorious seasons and some painful ones. There have been valleys, mountaintops and wildernesses. He’s been by my side the entire way. When I start to feel lonely & afraid it’s because I wandered away…He didn’t.
This is the song that was playing when my most recent how long showed up-
If more of You
Means less of me
Take everything
Yes, all of You
Is all I need
Take everything
You are my life and my treasure
The one that I can’t live without
Here at your feet my desires and dreams, I lay down
Here at your feet my desires and dreams, I lay down
With hands spread open in front of me I lay down my dreams & plans.
Dear Lord, in the waiting please fill me with more of You. I want You to be the treasure that I seek. Please forgive me. I trust You with whatever outcomes you decide. Please help me rest in Your strength. Use my life for your purposes. I am blessed to be Your agape loved chosen daughter. Please create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me. I am lost without your divine direction. In Jesus precious name I pray…Amen.
If you been asking ‘how long’ please don’t give up hope. God hears. God knows. God cares.
Saved by his grace,
Tracy
My Hope 