How Long, O Lord?

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

How long, O Lord?

It’s an honest question we’ve all asked at one point or another. How long will I be single? How long will I be without a child in my womb? How long will I battle depression? How long will I be trapped in a prison of anxiety? How long will I face these crushing debts? How long will I endure this unrelenting physical pain?

When my first son was one year old, I had my first major panic attack—on a plane. At the time, I had no idea the bodily sensations I was feeling were anxiety-related. In the ensuing weeks and months, my body and brain remained in a hypervigilant state, paralyzed by fear. When depression set in and started strangling my joy, I joined King David, the author of Psalm 13, in asking this question. On one particularly crushing day, I curled up in the fetal position in our hand-me-down armchair. The house was empty, and so was my soul. I wept as I read this psalm aloud. These words didn’t make my depression go away, but they became a safe haven and source of steadfast hope when darkness descended on my life.

In Psalm 13, King David asks the Lord, “How long?” four different times, exposing his inner wrestling and questioning. David felt forgotten, forsaken, alone, overcome with sorrow, defeated by his enemy, and shaken to the core. Rather than hiding his hurt from the Lord or trying to soften his questions and make them more “appropriate,” he came before God just as he was—shattered and baring his wounded soul with raw honesty.

In these six short but theologically jam-packed verses, David transitions from despair to praise. After presenting his laments to God, he says, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (verse 5). David moves past “How long?” by focusing on who God is and rejoicing in the ever-present hope of his salvation. He can sing in the midst of his suffering because he knows God has been good to him and will not forsake him.

When “How long?” is all you can mutter, God listens (see Psalm 40:1). Christ endured the pain piercing our hearts. He carried the burdens breaking our souls. He faced the darkness clouding our vision, and he received the punishment for our rebellion (see Isaiah 53). Because of Jesus, we can ask “How long?” and say with confidence, “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5).

Your circumstances may not change, and you may still wonder how much longer you’ll bear the burden you carry, but God has the power to change your heart and lift the load. When you are at your lowest, God is still on his throne (see Psalm 47:8). He comes near to mend your broken heart (see Psalm 34:18). You can sing a song of praise, even when the question “How long?” lingers in the back of your mind.

Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Just as God didn’t forsake his Son when he was hanging on the cross, he will never forsake you.

Word before World The suffering we face will not last forever; the steadfast love of the Lord lasts forever.

Grow in Grace What are you asking “How long?” about right now? Read Psalm 13. Ask “How long?” with King David, and remind your soul of the Lord’s ultimate salvation.