INTRODUCTION

For many ages now, the people of God have been asking, “how long?” How long until sin is vanquished? How long until all mankind has a love for the Lord? How long until our King and Lord is the King of kings and the Lord of lords? How long until the saints of God are no longer persecuted for their faith? How long until the blood of the martyrs will be avenged by God? These questions suggest a longing, a longing for the Lord to set things straight. Although believers may not know the timing, we do know that the future will come in God’s time. This promise and hope comforts the saints in times of trouble and gives them courage in the face of danger. It is this hope that reminds us that all will be recompensed in the end.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): In Psalm 94:1-7 [1] O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. [2] Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. [3] LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? [4] How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? [5] They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. [6] They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. [7] Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
  See All..., the psalmist wanted the Lord to make things right. According to 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 [6] Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; [7] And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
  See All..., we know that He will. Romans 8:22-23 [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
  See All... says not only God’s people but all of creation desires the Lord’s return.
• (For everyone): Look up the phrase “how long” in your Bible. Name the people who asked this question. What do they have in common? What are some of the reasons people asked “how long”?
• Are you facing persecution for your faith in Christ? How do you find comfort in knowing that the Lord is going to make all things right at some point in the future?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the promise of avenging the blood of His martyrs.
• Ask the Lord to remind you that one day all will be well.

HYMN

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.