Listen up, little ones
Listen for the word Lord.
Reading
Psalm 6:1-10—How Long, O LORD?
Optional Reading
Rev 6:9–11
Keys for kids
- It’s hard to wait.
- Often when we wait, we ask, How long?
- We don’t know, but we can trust God who does know.
Questions
- What did the Psalmists ask How long about?
- What have you asked How long about?
- How long did Jesus face God’s wrath?
Notes
(See below for all authors.)
How long? Though God often asks this question of His people, we also have God’s people asking, How long, of God. How long do I have to live in these troubles? How long will You hide your face from me (Ps 13:1-2)? How long will You look on and not rescue me (Ps 35:17)? How long? Will You be angry forever (Ps 79:5)? How long will You be angry with your people’s prayers (Ps 80:4)? How long? Will You hide forever (Ps 86:46)? How long will we wait for Your compassion (Ps 90:13)? How long will the wicked celebrate (Ps 94:3)? In addition to the Psalms, we see the lament in the prophets (Isa 6:11, Jer 31:22, Hab 1:2, Zech 1:12). We hear also from the martyred saints in our optional reading (Rev 6:9-11).
God does not rebuke His people for that lament. He also does not usually answer. This lament, included in our text today, is a lament of faith. And it is a lament our Savior knows.
Ash notes that when Jesus calls out in the shadow of the cross, “Now is my soul troubled” (John 12:27), he echoes Psalm 6:3. Here is a window into his heart…. [God’s anger] felt like an eternity of agony as he cried, “How long?” No wonder his soul was troubled (cf. Matt. 26:38), until he declared, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
We may not know how long. But we know our God hears.
Swedish Method questions
Praise
Psalm 6a, 65c
Prayer
- Are you are wondering How long? Ask God in faith.
- Pray for the reading and preaching of God’s word tomorrow.
- Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.