No doubt many of us are feeling turmoil in our hearts over the last several national events. How we respond is crucial. How we counsel ourselves and one another is crucial. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12 So, therefore, I turn to God’s word and there I find great counsel, strength, and food for my soul. What I need today is Psalm 13 and I pass it on to you for consideration.
How Long, O LORD?
Psalm 13 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
In this brief Psalm, just 6 verses, King David moves from a heart full of turmoil concerning his enemies and God, to a confident trust in God. His enemies are advancing and rejoicing. God seems distant. Totally absent. Not there. His emotions cause him to cry out to God “How Long, O LORD?” He pours out his raw emotions in prayer before God, which then allows him to think clearly and remember three facts about God in v5-6.
He is a God of steadfast love.
He is a God of salvation.
He is a God of bounty.
Regardless of our current circumstances the LORD GOD continues to be these and Oh, so much more. Today, I TRUST in His steadfast love. I REJOICE in His salvation. I SING for he has dealt bountifully with me. I invite you to walk with me moving from turmoil to confident trust.