“How long, O Lord?” This short cry of exasperation is one that is not only well known in Scripture, but well known in every day life as well. When the burdens of life press in and there seems to be little happiness and hope is hard, these words can often be found on our lips. In today’s first reading, the prophet Habakkuk is able to sympathize:
How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!
I cry out to you, “Violence!”
but you do not intervene.
Why do you let me see ruin;
why must I look at misery?
Destruction and violence are before me;
there is strife, and clamorous discord.
I can especially relate to that feeling of wanting to yell at God, “I cry for help but you do not listen!” I think it’s important that we are able to recognize and even affirm the reality of these feelings. That’s what the prophet is doing. He’s showing that he understands how bad it can get. But then he offers words of hope:
For the vision still has its time,
presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;
if it delays, wait for it,
it will surely come, it will not be late.
When it seems like God is not answering our prayers, the answer is to be patient. God will answer in his time in the way that is best. If you want patience, or trust, or for God to increase your faith, then don’t expect God to just zap you with these qualities by magic. Rather, expect that he will give you opportunities to practice and grow in these areas. In 2007, God spoke in the person of Morgan Freeman and summed it up pretty well in the movie “Evan Almighty.” Here’s the scene. What is God, saying to you through all this?