How Long, O Lord?

by Doy Moyer

After yesterday, here’s what I’m feeling…

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

We are a lost world. That’s not even up for debate. And “we” won’t fix it. We can’t because we are the problem.

Dismissing God will only make things worse because the focus will then shift solely to us. And, again, we won’t fix it. Our solutions cause us to spiral deeper into the darkness. We make it worse. We always have.

We can blame the system. We can blame “them” (whoever they are). But it’s all of us. That includes me. I’m the sinner. If we can’t own it, we will continue sliding into the abyss. “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules” (Daniel 9:4-5).

I’m so weary of the world. Another murder. Another occasion for indifference. Another political grandstanding moment. I’m tired of it. It’s draining, emotionally, spiritually. We are aching and don’t realize the extent of it.

But I’m not tired of God. Only through Christ will hope be found. If we have the strength to act and endure, it will be because He strengthens. That should start with repentance. Mine. Yours. No excuses.

I’m tired of people straw-manning God. I’m tired of the lame, half-baked interpretations people place over Scripture to justify turning from God. I’m tired of the rejections of that which can actually heal us and make a real difference. But that’s on us, not God.

Another news cycle. Another thing to debate. Another video of selfishness and evil on full display. Another round of self-justification, defending the evil, and the smug indifference characterized by a cultish culture bent on the denial of reality and truth.

How long, O Lord? How long?