Echoing through the history of the righteous is this plaintive cry.
It haunted the patriarch Job (7:19); it tormented the psalmists David (13:1-2), Asaph (79:5), and Ethan (89:46); it vexed the prophet Habakkuk (1:2); it arose as a loud voice from those Christians who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held (Revelation 6:9-10).
A significant thing we ought to learn from the things which were written before for our learning is that God’s wheels of justice and deliverance often move at a different speed than we humans think they should. How easily we can feel like Ethan: “How long, Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? Remember how short my time is; for what futility have You created all the children of men? What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses which You swore to David in Your truth? Remember, Lord, the reproach of Your servants—How I bear in my bosom the reproach of all the many peoples with which Your enemies have reproached, O Lord, with which they have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed” (Psalm 89:46-51).
The consistent testimony of the righteous from generations past is that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures can have hope (Romans 15:4).
Even during life’s darkest hours.
Especially during life’s darkest hours.
Therefore, “let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).
