How Much Longer?
"O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?" -Psalms 74:10
If there was ever a question asked more than others it is this. Every road trip over and over we hear, "Are we there yet?". Every meal prep poses the question "Is it done yet?". In our life we often wonder even if we don't ask, "How much longer?".
I love how the Psalms take us into prayer in ways that we are afraid to go sometimes. Passages like this show us that it's ok to be real with God. If you're thinking it, you may as well pray it! We say, "oh no I can't tell God that!" so we pretend to be someone else living a different life when we pray... God knows us better than that.. Do we really think we're fooling Him? Ofcoarse we don't, I get it. It's a respect thing, we don't want to talk to God like we talk to others, and especially in ways that we would never talk to others. We start building up walls in our mind to block things that we would never tell anyone, or never let anyone know. When we pray, we have an opportunity to take walls down and let God into the dark places. God is calling us to be REAL with Him.
So, the psalmist here is being real and says "Lord, how much longer is the adversary going to bring reproach and blaspheme your name? Are you ever going to do anything about it??"
In Psalm 74 there was no answer given, but after being "real" with his question he began reminding God (or himself) of who He is, and what He has already done. Then the psalmist prayed with passion about the needs that was on his heart.
We do have an adversary, and it is hard to look past the difficulty at times. However, we have a choice. Are we going to continue to look at the adversity and stand in defeat, or are we going to cast our cares upon God, stand still and know He is God, and walk in victory?
You have a choice today. 1Peter 5:8 tells us that our adversary is the devil and he is walking about, seeking whom he may devour. So the adversary is looking for someone to totally destroy, and he hates you! However, verse 8 says RESIST him steadfast in the faith! Resist? Yes! Steadfast in faith kind of resistance. Plant your feet in the Word, build up defense through prayer, lift up that shield of faith and STAND! Verse 10 says God has called you, and He is using your suffering to make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you. We just need to trust the process, but we have to be faithful in the process.
James 4:7 gives us two simple steps to the solution:
If there was ever a question asked more than others it is this. Every road trip over and over we hear, "Are we there yet?". Every meal prep poses the question "Is it done yet?". In our life we often wonder even if we don't ask, "How much longer?".
I love how the Psalms take us into prayer in ways that we are afraid to go sometimes. Passages like this show us that it's ok to be real with God. If you're thinking it, you may as well pray it! We say, "oh no I can't tell God that!" so we pretend to be someone else living a different life when we pray... God knows us better than that.. Do we really think we're fooling Him? Ofcoarse we don't, I get it. It's a respect thing, we don't want to talk to God like we talk to others, and especially in ways that we would never talk to others. We start building up walls in our mind to block things that we would never tell anyone, or never let anyone know. When we pray, we have an opportunity to take walls down and let God into the dark places. God is calling us to be REAL with Him.
So, the psalmist here is being real and says "Lord, how much longer is the adversary going to bring reproach and blaspheme your name? Are you ever going to do anything about it??"
In Psalm 74 there was no answer given, but after being "real" with his question he began reminding God (or himself) of who He is, and what He has already done. Then the psalmist prayed with passion about the needs that was on his heart.
We do have an adversary, and it is hard to look past the difficulty at times. However, we have a choice. Are we going to continue to look at the adversity and stand in defeat, or are we going to cast our cares upon God, stand still and know He is God, and walk in victory?
You have a choice today. 1Peter 5:8 tells us that our adversary is the devil and he is walking about, seeking whom he may devour. So the adversary is looking for someone to totally destroy, and he hates you! However, verse 8 says RESIST him steadfast in the faith! Resist? Yes! Steadfast in faith kind of resistance. Plant your feet in the Word, build up defense through prayer, lift up that shield of faith and STAND! Verse 10 says God has called you, and He is using your suffering to make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you. We just need to trust the process, but we have to be faithful in the process.
James 4:7 gives us two simple steps to the solution:
- Submit yourself to God.
- Resist the devil
Prayer
Father, I am sorry for holding back words when I talk to you. Today I give you every part of me. I have so many questions, and so many complaints. I'm tired of holding onto them all. So, today I cast it all on you because I know you care.
(begin telling Him everything that is bothering you. Do NOT hold anything back)
Now that I've given this to you God, I am going to trust you with it. Please help me to be steadfast in the faith. I submit everything to you, and I vow to no longer be moved by the workings of the adversary. Holy Spirit please show me when the adversary is trying to move me, and remind me to put it in your hands, and submit it to you. I thank you that your promises are true and my adversary will flee!
You Lord are Holy, You are my God, my King. I love You and I fully surrender to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord,
AMEN
(begin telling Him everything that is bothering you. Do NOT hold anything back)
Now that I've given this to you God, I am going to trust you with it. Please help me to be steadfast in the faith. I submit everything to you, and I vow to no longer be moved by the workings of the adversary. Holy Spirit please show me when the adversary is trying to move me, and remind me to put it in your hands, and submit it to you. I thank you that your promises are true and my adversary will flee!
You Lord are Holy, You are my God, my King. I love You and I fully surrender to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord,
AMEN
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