“How long?” Often asked by a child impatient to get to the end of a journey. The car ride is long or sometimes short, but they are ready for the adventure to begin! Knowing when the journey will end gets them through the car ride.

Do you ever ask God “How long?” Our journey in life can take us through situations with no promise of an end. We are desperate for the pain and uncertainty to be over, impatient for an answer, ready for the suffering to end. We cry out in utter despair – “Lord, how long?”

In Psalm 94:3, the writer in desperation asked, “O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult?” Surrounded by evil and treated unfairly at the hand of his enemies, this man pleads with God for vengeance. Assured of God’s justice, he has confidence God will act. The suffering has tried and tested this man, and although God seems silent, He is not. Because he knows God, he has confidence God is at work and peace flows through his soul in the midst of his difficulties.

As the psalmist rests in the quietness God provides, he writes,

“If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” (Psalm 94:17-19)

Reflecting on his difficulties, this man knows that apart from the help of God, he would no longer be alive. The enemies would have overtaken him, but God offers Himself. The man sees God’s goodness as God surrounds him with His never-ending love. This love provides him with the grace and help needed even as he thinks his foot is slipping. God’s love is already there and ready to hold him up. With the many concerns and struggles this man is facing, knowing God is in control allows him to come to a place of comfort and joy. He is being held by God.

Did you know this is the same for you? Sometimes life may take you through some really hard stuff. You wonder if you will make it through, how long it will last. You wonder if God is even hearing you. Though God may seem silent, He is not. Sometimes God works in quietness, orchestrating things behind the scenes so when the time is right, He will be made known.

God is always there, surrounding you with the deepest love and all the grace needed to carry you through whatever you are facing. He knows what you will need when those needs are just becoming a thought in your mind. He is already ministering to your needs, even when you cannot see it. He is willing to take your cares upon Himself. Knowing God is in control, you can be free to leave your worries in His hand. This freedom from cares brings peace and joy even when the trials continue.

When life takes you to a place where you cry out to God in utter despair “How long?” When you cannot sense His presence or see His face, remember He is already holding you with His steadfast love and grace. His response to your question “How long?” – “I will be with you as long as it takes.”