“How long?” That’s the question David is wrestling with in Psalm 13.
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
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? (Psa 13:1-2)
David wasn’t the first and he certainly wasn’t the last to wonder “How long?” How long will I be ____? How long will I have to endure ____? How long before ____? When we’re frustrated, disappointed, and discouraged, it’s tough not knowing how long the difficulties will last. Is there anything we can do in the meantime? Psalm 13 shows us at least five things:
- I can pray. I may not know how long, but I can pray, “Consider and answer me, O LORD my God” (13:3).
- I can trust. I may not know how long, but I can say with David, “I have trusted in your steadfast love” (13:5).
- I can rejoice. I may not know how long, but “My heart shall rejoice in your salvation” (13:5).
- I can sing. I may not know how long, but “I will sing to the LORD” (13:6).
- I can count my blessings. I may not know how long, but I can remind myself, “He has dealt bountifully with me” (13:6).
Our Savior lives. Our Savior reigns. Difficulties come and go, but we can face tomorrow because we know the One who holds the future. Let’s praise him today and live for him this week.