Part of a continuing
series on 48 psalms that speak to “feeling down.”
Stuck in a thorny situation!
That’s the main complaint of Psalm 13, that David wrote during one of
his many “feeling hopeless” times. Four
times he wails, “How long?” (my paraphrase):
*How long—forever?---will you forget about me, God?
*How long will it seem that You, God, have hidden Your face?
*How long must I deal
with negative and sad thoughts?
*How long will the enemy seem to have the upper hand?
What I like about this psalm is that David is talking to God about his serious doubts. He’s not giving up
his faith, although it’s a bit ragged right now. We don’t know his precise
circumstances but he sounds like he’d come to the end of his rope, again, in
staying a step ahead of King Saul and his murderous desperados.
The things that put me in a funk aren’t as life-threatening
as David’s. But at different times in my life I have run into spiritual
mountains I cannot scale, deep river gorges I cannot cross—except for God.
But the big “BUT” is the word to hang on:
But I trust in your
unfailing love; My heart rejoices in
your salvation.
I will sing to the
LORD for he has been good
to me.
David’s saying, “We have a history together, God. You’ve helped me in the past. First of all, I
thank you for the gift of salvation that allows me to be in relationship with You
and trust You. Then I just need to praise You.
Where’s my harp? That’s how I express my ‘love language’ to God. I’ll
sing a song that praises God’s goodness.
That may not solve my problems immediately, but it will keep my focus on
God, who rescues and helps me.”
Thorns are part of life.
But even a cactus can put out a blossom, like a reminder of God’s help
even when life seems sticky for much too long.
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