How long, O LORD?…Psalm 13:1
 
How often have each one of us said or thought this very thing when circumstances were hard?  Probably many times especially when we first started our spiritual walk. 
 
Looking back do we not see that through hard but necessary circumstances is one way the Lord teaches us His ways?  How would we come to the place of knowing with certainty that God does all things well, that He is in control of all thing, and that nothing comes into our lives that He does not know about?  How would we know that our ways are not His ways and that His ways are far above our ways?  We come to KNOW through these experiences and often it takes a long time for the head knowledge to become heart knowledge.
 
There are divine delays as Scripture tells us:
“I am weary with my crying; 
My throat is parched;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.”  So says David in Psalm 69:3
 
John 11:6 & 21 tells of Martha’s complaint of Jesus’ delay in coming:
“When therefore He (Jesus) heard that he (Lazarus) was sick, He stayed then two days longer in the place where He was.” 
Vs. 6
“Maratha therefore said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if You had been here, by brother would not have died.’” 
Vs. 21
 
“”The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish…”  
2 Peter 3:9
 
Afflictions are a refining influence:
“But He knows the way I take;
When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  Job 23:10
 
“For You, O God, have proved us;
Thou has refined us as silver is refined.”  Psalm 66:10
 
“Though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that  the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, thought it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:6-7
 
Looking again at Psalm 13, after David’s crying out to the LORD in verses 1-4 we now see a change.
“But I have trusted in Thy loving-kindness;
My heart shall rejoice in Thy salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.”  Vs. 5-6
 
What has happened!  David has now gotten his eyes off the circumstances and on to the LORD!  This is exactly what happens to each one of us when we turn a thing over to the Lord and keep our eyes on Him.  Then our hearts rejoice and we can do nothing less than worship our Lord in songs of praise and adoration.
 
I’ll close with James 1:2-4 (you know it well) here it is in the Living Bible:
 
“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations  Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems.  For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”
 
With grateful hearts we thank You most loving God!  Amen