Have you ever poured out your soul to God before? Perhaps you have chronic illness or pain, or you have doubts or fears about how a situation is going to turn out in your life. The only question you have is “Why God?” or “How long do I have to cry out to you before you help me?” I know I sure have…and sometimes I cry out to him multiple times a day. But I can’t help but thank Him when I am reminded of His faithfulness when I read through my Bible and see example after example of God’s children crying out to Him in their time of need.

Psalm 102:1-2 (MSG) God, listen! Listen to my prayer, listen to the pain in my cries. Don’t turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately. Pay attention! This is a cry for help! And hurry—this can’t wait!

Habakkuk 1:1-4 (MSG) God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many times do I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Why do you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day? Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place. Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head.

In both of these instances the Psalmist and Habakkuk cry out to God in desperation. Although there’s a difference in their plea, they both cry out because they know they can go directly to God, in times of joy and trouble, and He will hear them.

The Psalmist and Habakkuk weren’t afraid to pose their questions and concerns to God. In Psalm 102, the Psalmist recognizes that God will be enthroned forever (102:12). If you continue to read on in both Psalm 102 and Habakkuk 1, you will also see that God knew exactly what was going on and was in control. The truth is our God is sovereign and His plan (short-term or long-range) will be fulfilled on His timetable.

Even today, the same is true for us. We may not like our current circumstances (an illness, pain, marital issues,  the direction of our nation, senseless killings, robberies, terrorist attacks, abortions, famine,etc.)  we have to realize that God is still in the driver’s seat. Nothing that happens in this world catches him by surprise…NOT one thing. God is working out His purposes in His own time, not ours and certainly not according to our comfort level.

The Psalmist’s and Habakkuk’s example are ones of encouragement, especially when we fear God doesn’t see our circumstances. I challenge you to read Psalm 102 and the 3 short chapters of Habakkuk today and consider the following:

Take your complaint/concern to God.
Wait for God to answer.
When God answers, Rejoice/Praise Him for the outcome.