How Long

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true …….”?
Revelation 6:10:  “…..until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth”?
       These words came from the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.  Revelation 6: 9. 

It is okay to ask God a question and to ask it with passion.  In Revelation 6 verse 10 these saints are in heaven and they are asking a question.  These saints are not asking the Lord to judge and avenge their blood .  They know the Lord will judge.  They know the Lord will avenge their blood.  They are asking “how long” before it happens.

God answered their prayer / question immediately.  Revelation 6:11:  …….and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

God did not give them the number of days, months or years when their blood would be avenged.  Instead, He told them when all of their fellow servants and brethren who are to be killed are killed.  Then God will avenge their blood.  God knows who of His servants will be killed, and when they will be killed.  God also knows when He will bring an end to the killing of His servants.  Jesus said,  "It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority."  Acts 1: 7

The Psalmist David asked the same question in Psalms 13: 1-2  -  How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will You hide Your face from me?    Verse 2:  How long shall I take counsel in my soul,….?  How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
David asked the Lord “How long”?  David knew the Lord would not forget him .  He knew God will not hide His face from him forever.  He knew God would answer him when He is ready.  David knew God would not allow his enemy to triumph over him. 

We ought to analyze our prayers and our questions.   How do our prayers and our questions relate to God and to His character and His faithfulness?   There are certain givens that God will do.  We should accept these givens, believe them and pray wisely. 
For example, our Lord Jesus said, He will be with us always even unto the end of the age.  Instead of asking the Lord to be with us, we should thank Him for being with us.  Our Lord will keep His promise.  David knew God would not forget him, so instead David asked “how long”.


2nd Example – Revelation 22: 20:  He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”  Amen.  (The prayer) Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

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