Maybe I have been watching too much U2 on youtube lately. I have liked U2 for a long, long time. Was fortunate enough to see them back in the old days on the Joshua Tree tour. Nosebleed but well worth it when they went into Psalm 40 and 18,000 people were singing it with just Larry Mullen, Jr. playing the drums. I can not imagine what it was like on the U2 360 tour with over 100,000 or more singing it.
Check out the 360 tour on youtube. Also the song “Vertigo” from the Rose Bowl when Bono begins it and says, “Honey, I’m Home”. Unbelievable energy.
What does U2 have to do with things of importance? Everything. Re-watching Psalm 40 launched me back into the Biblical Psalm 40 where the song was taken from.
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1
“How long”, thousands of people cry out at a U2 concert.
All of creation and those past, present and future also cry out, “How long.” Spooky? Not at all.
“For we know the whole creation grows and suffers the pains of childbirth together for now.” Romans 8:22
The children of Israel cried out to God for hundreds of years while they were in bondage. Then God heard them and relieved their suffering.
There are many, many people on this day who are suffering. And whether they have the vocabulary to express it or not, they are crying out “How long”.
You may be suffering as well, for many different reasons. Or you may know of someone who truly suffers on this day.
Take the following verse to them and keep it for yourself as well.
“Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” Psalm 40:17
God is very much aware of the cry of the poor and the needy and the faint cry of a desperate and sincere heart.
“How long.”
JHH
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