The LORD's Day November 2, 2008

Our Sovereign LORD

How long, …LORD?

Revelation 6

Our God is in heaven. He does whatever He pleases. (Job 23.13) When we say this about any other person it is not a compliment! Oh he does whatever he pleases! When that is said about a husband by a wife, I always see a broken or frustrated heart behind it. When it said about a student it means that he is not teachable. When it said about an employee it means does not take orders from his superiors well, a child this means disobedience.

But with God, because He is holy and He is love and in Him there is no darkness at all this is a wonderful truth. He doeth all things well!

However as we walk with the LORD we do not always understand what He is doing. His ways are beyond our finding out. For instance we have seen Him work in very difficult circumstances and sometimes as we walk through them we see God’s Hand weaving events together for our good and His glory. Other times we do not see this and will not see fully until we get to heaven.
Chalk artists when I was a kid- most times not until the end did it make sense… picture in my office of sailor on the sea.

Interestingly as we begin the 7 year tribulation this week in our study of Revelation, we have the saints under the altar asking God when He is going to avenge their blood. They were told to wait a little longer. We learn that it would be in 7 years at the conclusion of the tribulation.

Patient Endurance can also cause a soul to ask this question, “How long, LORD?”

How long…

Psalm 6.3 My soul is in anguish. How long Oh LORD, how long?

Psalm 13.1 How long, Oh LORD, will You forget me forever? How long will you hide Your Face from me?

Psalm 94.3 How long will the wicked, Oh LORD, how long will the wicked be jubilant?

These are questions asked by followers of the LORD. Inner turmoil due to external circumstances, a feeling that they have been abandoned- God is not answering my prayers, struggles with the wicked and understanding why they go on and seem to have no cares- all these things are difficult if they are with us for the long haul.

Notice first of all that although the saints struggle with these things,

1. They are looking to the LORD.

So was the Psalmist!

We can tell the strength of a person’s faith by what they do with their questions. These saints were taking their struggles the LORD in prayer. Their faith was strong. They were going to Jesus with things that perplexed them.

They address Him as Sovereign LORD, holy and true.”
His Holiness
He is the Truth

2. They believe that their struggles are not going to last forever.

Psalm 142.7 - Part of the pain in suffering is the sheer loneliness of it. It is often Jesus and me! Most people do not like being around people who are suffering. Some may come to our aid and we need to let them but on a deeper level friends, even righteous ones, seldom can touch the deep recesses of the pain we are living with. But! If we believe that our struggles are not going to last forever which is exactly what Jesus is telling these dear saints, our hope will remain strong.

I believe this one of the many reasons reading and hearing the words of this prophecy bring a blessing. If we know suffering and struggling and evil are going to be done away with forever, then we have hope. We know there is an end coming. As believers that is such good news!

3. They know God is in control!

That is why they are calling upon Him and asking Him, “How long?”!!! They also know God works His will out even in and through a person’s suffering. (Galatians 4.13)

Notice here that although they did not get immediately what they asked for they did receive something very precious they did not ask for. Each of them was given a white robe - a sign of blessing, purity, assurance and eternal life. The more persecution the more purity you find in the church. Not much health and wealth and feel good stuff when people are dying for their faith in Jesus. They also were given a Word from the LORD- which is really part of His Word. So we see the blessedness of acknowledging God’s Sovereignty in our time of suffering

4. They know God’s power.

He can do anything! And immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine!
He cannot lie Titus 1.2
He will never forsake His own.
He never fails.

Nothing is too hard for the LORD!
Genesis 18.14 God asks that question to Abraham regarding the birth of Isaac.
Jeremiah 32.17 Ah Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is to hard for You.

Faith- my nephew Stephen reminding me about how God did what the doctors said would not happen with Poppa and used it in reference to Jackson. He spoke to me before the LORD touched my little grandson and after he said, “I told you so Uncle Larry!” It was a rebuke from the LORD for my lack of faith or for allowing the facts to overwhelm my trust in God’s ability to heal out rightly. As I held yesterday I remember all the prayers that went up to heaven for him.

He can bring things (suffering) to an end. And He will when He is ready and when it is the perfect time. How foolish we are when we think we know God’s perfect timing on things. Be like a little child, “Are we there yet?” The song on the kids’ tape- “and Mom and Dad are ready to pull their hair as I quietly whisper, “Are we almost there?”

5.They know as Sovereign LORD He has the final word.

We must trust His Sovereignty. Many times it is beyond our understanding. He knows what is best. His timing is perfect. Interestingly that it was 7 years later He would avenge their blood! Whenever we ask Him how long the answer is always perfect.

How long, LORD?…

A little longer…

It won’t be long.

The end of all things is near.

The LORD is coming! His Kingdom will be come to it fullness soon.

We’ll work til Jesus Comes!