Seriously Lord, How Long?

Scripture:
God, how long will the enemy mock?
Will the foe insult your name forever?
Why do you hold back your hand?
Stretch out your right hand and destroy them!
Psalm 74:10-11

Observation: This is a very straightforward appeal to Yahweh ... there are enemies - of you and of your people - and they appear to be winning, so when will take action and crush them? Why do you wait? Why do you allow even this temporary scenario to exist? Why do you do nothing so that they believe they are powerful and you are either weak or even non-existent? We know you will defeat your enemies, so why not do it now? Please, Lord, destroy them!

Application: In our best minds and most loving hearts, those of us with faith in the Lord look at the world around us - at the moral confusion rampant in our society right now - and we have pity on all the mislead people. We desire that they know better, but we also feel sorry for the pain and sorrow that must be so prevalent in their hearts and minds. We with they would discover the Lord because we also know that the life they lead is not up to the life they could have, and we truly wish for the best for them.

But then we know the source of all these lies ... and honestly, my heart burns against the enemy. This declaration from Psalm 74 is both true questions about God's ways and timing, and also a call to action spoken from a place of frustration.

Yahweh, my Lord and my God, how long will you allow this evil to exist, to gloat over your people and your world, to act as if you are powerless to do anything and useless as a concept? Jehovah Sabaoth, when will you bring your power to utterly destroy the enemy? How can you see this and allow it, even as the people mock your faithful servants, your saints, and both your name and the name of your beloved son?

Lord, your love is infinite, but your patience ... oh, I know your patience has limits, and while you are slow to anger, you do respond. So why oh why is this happening? Why are millions of young people having their entire lives destroyed by the lies of the evil enemy? While people insult you in public places, mock the very idea of your existence and mislead others in that same mocking, you stay your wrath, but why, and when will that change?

Yes, in my heart, I am so sad for others, and wish to love them back to the Lord. But there are times I just want to say ... Lord, stretch out your right hand and destroy them!

Prayer: My Lord and my God, if my thoughts are a sin, please forgive me. I do desire your will above all else, and I know that you wish for none to die, but to be reconciled to you. That said, it's hard down here to simply see all the evil and wonder how long this will be tolerated. Yes, may thy will be done, but also, come Lord Jesus. Amen.