First in a series of occasional reflections on the Psalms by Morrison Ranch partner Howard Morrison. This post may be particularly useful juxtaposed with the Brett Johnson’s video: Repurposing The Leader.

O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave? I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
— Psalm 6 New International Version

Jana and I used to attend a church that tried to focus the message and music each Sunday on a different characteristic of God. I was reminded of this because, after reading and reflecting this morning on Psalm 6, I’ve been thinking all day about “the suddenness of God.”

Two things jumped out at me. In verse 3 David cries out to God and, as if in mid-sentence, he stops and asks, “How long, O LORD, how long?” I thought about that for a while — the typical musings about suffering, seemingly unanswered prayer, and waiting on God.

What struck me most, though, was one little word in verse 10. Through the psalm David cries out for God to act on his behalf. In particular David is asking God to give his enemies their just due and leave him in peace. David gains confidence as he goes and in the end, praises the God who God will suddenly disgrace his enemies.

There’s the word…sudden. I am struck by the juxtaposition of “O LORD, how long?” and “they will turn back in sudden disgrace.” I know God does not often (and maybe not mostly) answer our prayers suddenly. But shouldn’t we offer credit to God for being someone who can — and when he chooses, does — act suddenly on our behalf?

I’ve thought of biblical examples of God acting suddenly. Moses is a shepherd for decades when, suddenly, he hears from God through a burning bush. Joseph is serving time in prison when, suddenly, he gets a call from Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. The Jews are backed up to the sea and wondered how long it will take for God or Moses to deliver them. Then, suddenly, the waters part. Elisha and his servant appear to be surrounded by the enemy but, suddenly, God opens their eyes to see the myriad of hosts in heaven. The remnant of God’s people wonder how long it will be before the Messiah comes and, suddenly, an angel appears to Mary, an angel appears to Joseph, and nine months later, angels suddenly appear, speaking and singing to frightened shepherds. Dozens if not hundreds are caught up in human misery of one form or another when, suddenly, Jesus touches them and heals them. The prodigal’s father waits and waits for his son’s return (if ever) when, suddenly, down the road his son appears. The women and other disciples are despondent about losing Jesus when, suddenly, he speaks to them in the garden, then appears to them in the upper room. Stephen wonders how long he will have to endure stoning when, suddenly, he is ushered into his Savior’s presence. Paul and his companions are locked in prison when, suddenly, the prison doors swing open. And so it goes…

We as God’s children are not in a position to demand anything from God. As clay we cannot make demands on the potter. But God has revealed himself as one who is able to respond to our plight and our prayers with “suddenness.” Prayers which have gone out for years can seemingly be answered in a moment with a phone call telling us of a loved one’s turning to God. A medical condition can suddenly be gone to the astonishment of our doctors. Loneliness can change to life together merely in the sudden appearance of someone at our door. Singleness is suddenly changed at a wedding. A desperate plea for God’s provision can be answered suddenly by a check in the mail. One day, the longing we experience for our Savior’s return will suddenly be fulfilled in the twinkling of an eye.

When have you seen God act suddenly on your behalf? Any time recently? Tell those stories to your colleagues and give credit to God for being able to act suddenly and being the all wise one who knows best when to move by degrees and when to act suddenly…for our good and his glory.

O LORD, how long? …. Suddenly!

In addition to being a partner in Arizona’s Morrison Ranch (where one of his nicknames is Bias for Action), Howard Morrison describes himself as a husband of 24 years, a father of three (20, 18, and 13), a pastor (in a previous life), a volunteer with FamilyLife, a teacher, a small group leader…perhaps you see why they call him Bias for Action.