Keep Going
Have there ever been times in your life when you have found yourself wondering, ‘How long, O Lord?’ How long will these struggles and disappointments last? How long will we have these financial difficulties? How long will these health issues persist? How long will the difficulties in this relationship last? How long will I struggle with this addiction? How long will these intense temptations last? How long will it take me to get over this loss? How long?
David, as the writer of Psalm 13, quickly asks "how long" four times in succession.
Psalms 13:1-2 NLT.O Lord , how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? (emphasis mine).
We have all had times when it appears that God has forgotten us. It seems that he has hidden his face, and we don’t sense his presence with us. Every day is a struggle and we are constantly wrestling with our thoughts Every day brings sorrow. We seem to be losing the battle and the enemy seems to be triumphing over us.
How should you respond?
David gives us four suggestions in this psalm.
Keep praying
Pour out your heart to God. Don’t give up praying even when God seems far away.
Psalms 13:3 NLT Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
Keep trusting
It is relatively easy to have faith when things are going well, but the test of faith is when things do not appear to be going well.
Psalms 13:5 NLT But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
(emphasis mine)
Keep rejoicing
He does not rejoice in the trials, but in God’s salvation.
Psalms 13:5 NLT But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
Keep worshipping
In spite of everything he has been through, David is able to see the goodness of God because remembers all that God has done for him.
Psalms 13:6 NLT I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
As you begin to praise and worship God, it brings perspective to your problems.
Take a look back on your life and thank the Lord for bringing you through so many of your own personal struggles, and remember how good He has been to you.