The last several Psalms we have explored all share a common theme: they are prayers in the anguish of the soul and hymns of encouragement in the character of God within trial. Psalm 13 is consistent with such a motif. There is a season in our lives that can be filled with strife, anxiety, and sorrows upon sorrows. When nothing seems to be changing despite our prayers, we can feel ignored or even forsaken by God. Similarly, David cries to God in the misery of his own heart, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Job could relate to David as his own life was turned upside down by trial and affliction. His security, family, and health were stripped from him (Job 1-2). In the midst of his great suffering, he also believed God had turned his back on him, which produced despair, “Let the day perish on which was I was born, and the night that said, ‘A man is conceived. (4) Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it” (Job 3:3-4). In Psalm 13, David makes two statements that we should model when we find ourselves in the pit of despair due to our unpleasant circumstances: (1) He petitions God for understanding, and (2) He remembers God’s unfailing love. Here are some additional thoughts:
God’s perspective. David was persistent in his prayer life. He asked for an understanding of God’s view of his situation, thus, “Consider and answer me, O Lord may God; light up my eyes…” He wanted divine wisdom of how to interpret the circumstances that God had allowed in his life. Why does David make this request? He understood that if he leaned on and used his own understanding to frame his perspective, it would be filled with pain informed by his own earthly observations and feelings (cf. Prv 3:5-8). God’s outlook provides the bigger picture and purpose of adversity in our lives. Remember, God is not arbitrary in how he designs our seasons of testing, for they accomplish three of his primary objectives in our lives:
- Trial produces spiritual maturity (Rom 5:3-5).
- Trial tests the genuineness (quality) of our faith and thus exposes areas that need spiritual growth (1 Pt 1:6-7).
- Trial prunes away lifeless areas of our faith in effort to produce more kingdom fruitfulness (Jn 15:1-2).
David desperately wanted an answer to his prayer for he feared his enemies would exalt themselves over his fall, thus, “…lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.” A word from God is life giving, as it is sweet to the soul and gives strength to the body.
God’s steadfast love. It is nothing worse than to believe that we suffer in vain. Like David, we must trust that God’s love never fails and his purposes work for our good. In those moments, what God says he is and what he promised to his children are more important than how we actually feel. He will never leave you, nor forsake you. He wants you and I to cast all our anxieties on him for he cares for us (1 Pt 5:7). With this truth, we join David in worship as he proclaims, “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Hallelujah!
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com