How long?
Genesis 15:1-6
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
2 But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
A few weeks ago, I sat in the airport waiting to board a plane for a quick trip to visit my brother in Arizona. There was a family waiting next to me that was embarking on a much longer journey - a trip to London and Paris for Spring Break. They had 2 little boys, probably around ages 3 and 5, and before they’d even left on the first leg of their journey, the kids were already asking how much longer it was going to take.
“How much longer?” It’s a question parents often hear when traveling with children. It’s a question we often ask too, especially when life gets hard. When we are facing challenging situations, painful relationships or unanswered prayers. We cry out with the psalmist “How long Oh Lord?”
Abram is no different. God had made many promises to Abram, but he’s beginning to have some doubts. After all, he was 75 years old when God promised to make him a great nation. Now years have passed, and Abram still has no son. Forget becoming a great nation, Abram doesn’t even have a descendant to inherit his estate! “How long are you going to take Lord?”
God responds with a specific promise and a visual aid. “See the stars, Abram? See how many there are? More than you can count. More than your eyes can see. That’s how many flesh and blood offspring you will have some day.” God makes a big and bold promise.
And, in spite of his doubts, in spite of the lack of evidence that God was keeping his promises, Abram believed the LORD. He trusted that God would be faithful, “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:21)
I wonder sometimes if we are afraid to deal properly with our doubts. We ignore them, trying to push the feelings away; pretending like they don’t exist. Or we fixate on them, giving space for doubt and fear to take root and grow. But dealing with doubt can be an important part of our faith journey.
Spiritual growth requires working out what we believe and what we know to be true about God. It's in the wrestling and in the waiting that we learn to trust.
God already knows what we’re working through. He knows every fear, every question, and every disappointment we have. So, bringing them before God, as Abram did, is the safest place to work them out. Through prayer, through His word, through worship and faithful teaching, we will find the words of promise and hope that address our deepest needs.
In the presence of God, we find a wonderful truth: Genuine faith is not the absence of doubts or fears. Genuine faith is believing the promises of God in spite of them.
When Abram believed God, it was credited to him as righteousness. According to Paul, “The words “it was credited to him” were written not for (Abram) alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:23&24)
Abram’s faith and the righteousness that resulted from it were gifts given to him by God. These gifts of faith and righteousness are our inheritance. Gifts of God passed on to us - Abram’s heirs and God’s covenant people.
So go ahead and ask, “How long O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1)
But then, work through the longings, doubts and fears until you can also say:
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.
(Psalm 13:5&6)