How Long?

He had been a minister for most of his working life and had retired some twenty-three years before. The time came when it seemed best for them to move into Cooper House in the Garden Settlement, Chermside. Then when that group of buildings was to be demolished, space was found for them in St Paul’s House nearby. We did the move on Monday and Dad was in the Royal Brisbane Hospital by Thursday. Apart from two visits of a fortnight each in the Royal Brisbane, his remaining six months were spent in St Luke’s Nursing Home at the Garden Settlement.

The faith in God he had preached over his lifetime was as strong as ever. We talked together about the work of Christ for him, the gift of eternal life, the confident expectation of heaven, the anticipation of many reunions... But now his question was "How long?"

For a younger person - even ten years younger! - such a question is looking towards a reasonable measure of recovery and extension of life. Unless, of course, it is cancer and the question means, "How much longer have I got?"

But there are those, like Dad, who know the end is near, that this life is almost complete, who are prepared for the future and now feel the burden of a failing body.

When life reaches that stage, some simply want to "pull the plug." That’s the push of the euthanasia lobby, illustrated in the recent highly-publicised doctor-assisted suicide in Queensland - and the euthanasia doctor knew that the woman wasn’t terminally ill. Suicide tends to express a lack of hope for this life or beyond the grave.

For David in Psalm 13, "How long?" is his prayer in the light of present circumstances which were limiting and restricting his life. He repeats it four times.

1. "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?" Lord, why aren’t you answering my prayers for help? Have I fallen off your "to help" list?

2. "How long will you hide your face from me?" I’ve been in a he-walks-with-me-and-he-talks-with-me relationship with you, Lord, so what’s the matter? Why don’t I feel you close to me just now? Have you left me?

3. "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?" Life made sense when I understood your unfailing love, but right now, Lord, I’m having trouble holding it all together. I have a sense of loss that just goes on and on.

4. "How long will my enemy triumph over me?" Here is the practical circumstance with which he has wrestled and about which he has prayed. Since my enemy has triumphed over me, does it mean that God has left me?

"Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall" (vv. 3-4).

His prayer has intense urgency. There is perhaps an inference that the Lord’s good name (his "unfailing love") will be damaged in the eyes of his enemies if the Lord doesn’t answer soon.

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me" (vv. 5-6).

Though the desired outcome may not yet be realised, yet David still expresses his confident trust in the Lord. The Lord has been good to him in the past in giving him salvation. He knows he can rejoice and sing to the Lord no matter what happens to him.

"How long?" Is that a question we have asked? Is it a question we have heard others asking?

In Psalm 31.15 David expresses his confidence that "My times are in your [God’s] hands." That faith brings active confidence while we live this life - and as we face the future beyond the grave.

Prayer: Father, we become impatient when your answer to our prayers seems to be delayed, or isn’t to our liking! Grant us a confident faith that you always have our best interests at heart and that your answer and timing are always best. Help us in understanding and supporting those for whom this life has become an increasing burden as they face the prospect of death. Grant them courage, the knowledge of your unfailing love and the conviction that their times are in your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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