Week 5: How long, O Lord?
- cindystumme
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Updated: May 12
Devotional Readings Focused on Psalm 6 for the First Week of February: Embracing the Unknown
Have you ever found yourself stuck in a holding pattern? Whether it’s waiting for medical test results, navigating a life transition, or simply awaiting a response from a child, living in uncertainty can be stressful. We never quite know how long the wait will be. This week’s Psalm highlights David’s experience of waiting as he asks God, “How long, O Lord?” If this question resonates with you, you’ll find encouragement in this week’s readings.
Skip to the meditation
Monday's Reading: Reflections on Psalm 6
Reflection Questions:
What circumstances in your life prompt you to cry, “How long, O Lord?”
What encouragement do you find in verses 8-10?
Tuesday's Reading: Joseph's Journey in Genesis
Reflection Questions:
How long did Joseph wait in prison?
How did he spend his time there?
What actions can you take while you wait that demonstrate your faith in God's timing?
Wednesday's Reading: Faith Amid Waiting
Reflection Questions:
How does the author define faith in verse 1?
According to verse 13, did the faithful heroes of this chapter experience everything promised to them before they died?
Where did they find full understanding and fulfillment of God’s promises?
How might this impact your perspective on waiting for God?
Thursday's Reading: The Delayed Visit
Reflection Questions:
In this passage, why does Jesus postpone His visit to His friend Lazarus?
Was He aware of the outcomes of His decision to delay?
What conclusion do Mary and Martha reach regarding Jesus' timing?
How might the story have changed if Jesus arrived while Lazarus was still alive?
Friday's Reading: God's Timing in 2 Peter
Reflection Questions:
This passage discusses Christ's promised return when He makes all things new. How long has it been since these words were written? (Hint: check the background of 2 Peter at this link.)
What do verses 8-9 reveal about God's timing?
What is the purpose of delay? How should we respond to delay according to verses 14 and 15?
Weekend Reading: Reflecting on God's Goodness
Reflection Questions:
In what ways has God shown His goodness even during times of waiting? Make a list.
In Psalm 30, David remembers times when God delivered him from trouble. How has God brought you through tough situations in the past?
Write a prayer of thanksgiving for God's goodness throughout your life.
Meditation
The smartphone has transformed how we experience waiting. How did we survive without them in waiting rooms? How did we manage to wait our turn in the Costco checkout line?
Everywhere I go, I notice people handling waiting through technology. Even brief waits, like at a red light, lead many to pull out their phones—myself included! We no longer have to endure waiting; we can engage with our handheld gateways to the world.
Understanding the Challenge of Waiting
I can’t help but think that our limited experience with short waits has left us unprepared for longer periods of waiting in life. We’re not used to sitting in uncertainty. We struggle to sort through our thoughts and manage the anxiety of the unknown. We often rush to cry, “How long, O Lord?” before fully processing what we feel. All we want is for it to be over.
Waiting as a Spiritual Discipline
The reality is that waiting is a spiritual discipline—a strength God invites His children to develop. David exemplifies this in Psalm 6. He prays and expresses confidence that his prayers are heard. He simply has to trust that God will answer and shame those who claim God has abandoned him (verse 10).
Is this our mindset too? The spiritual discipline of waiting is an active application of faith in God’s wisdom. It involves trusting His goodness during life’s uncertainties, leading to peace of mind and heart as we wait for His timing.
This week, we'll explore stories of individuals who waited and how God moved powerfully in their lives during those times. As you read, reflect on your own experiences. Recall moments when God asked you to wait for answers. How has He been faithful? How has He worked amid the unknown?
My personal experiences in waiting remind me that God operates in ways I do not comprehend and cannot foresee. However, as I surrender my uncertainties to Him, I am entrusting them to the One who holds all the answers and is always faithful to love and care for me.
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