Psalm 90: The Plan B Prayer Lesson 9: "How Long"

Introduction: "Return, O LORD, how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants." (Psalms 90:13)

Text: II Samuel 12:9-24
Repent is to be sorry and change your mind or course. God would never change Who He is, but He does change His mind. . .

1. Why Would God Repent?
• He remembers His promises (Exodus 32:13)
• He is gracious, slow to anger, and of great kindness (Joel 2:13b)
• To deliver and defend His people for His own sake (II Kings 20:6)
• So that we "perish not" (Jonah 3:9)
2. What Must I Do to Get God to "Repent"?
• Believe God (Jonah 3:5)
• Turn to God (Joel 2:12-13a)
• Beseech God (II Kings 20:3)
• Fast, weep, mourn, "rend" your heart (open it wide to receive God's will and way)
• Be humble
• Turn from the evil way
• Walk before God in truth, and do what is right in His sight.
3. What Do I Do in the Meantime? (II Samuel 12:13)
• Get up
• Accept chastisement (remember, He will be with you)
• "Clean up"
• Worship God
• See God's goodness which He does bring your way (manna, water, etc provided in wilderness wonderings)

Conclusion:

   God's punishment is to bring us to repentance, not to crush us. . . when we repent, God repents.

Additional Study;

1. What aspect of God's mercy can we relate to at any time? (Lamentations 3:22)
2. Even in times of discipline, what is God's thought toward us? (Jeremiah 29:10-11)
3. What is the only thing preventing us from receiving God's merciful provision? (Jeremiah 29:12-13)
4. According to Psalm 145:14, who does the Lord uphold? Who does He raise up?
5. According to Psalm 145:18-19, to whom does the Lord draw close? What does He do for them?
6. No matter where we are in life, if we fear the Lord, what is our source of hope? (Psalm 147:11)

GB Essie