Today’s Thought “How Long?” G. Ward Isaiah 41:17 “The poor and needy are seeking water, but there is none and their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself; as the God of Israel, I will not abandon them.” The future reign of the Messiah’s rule that would enable physical reprieve for Israel would be far off; but those inhabitants (captive in a strange land then), would endure great drudgery as miserable witnesses of this constant oppression (cf. Ro.8:18). Surely God’s people would question the Prophet Isaiah upon hearing him speak for the Lord in such definitive terms as to when this help would be provided? Living in a self-absorbed society can impact believer’s experience in suffering to make demands on Heaven without a wait proposed and while songs are sung that echo, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’s an on-time God” and whereas trust and patience waver when sufferings persist, our hearts can speak volumes in wrongful consideration. Predecessors of faith endured hardships so we too would lead by example and often neglect to do so, hindering our greatest grandchildren’s chance similarly (cf. Judg.2:10).