Psalm 13

Scripture: Psalms 13:1-6

Observation:

Verse 1 - How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide Your face from me?  David had been anointed as the next King of Israel. But years had passed, and it seemed the promise would never come to fruition. After years of banishment and persecution, he felt like God had turned away from him. In Psalm 13, David cries out to God his pain and disillusionment. In verse 2 he continues: How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?  In verse 3, he begs God to listen to him and answer. But as he continues to pour his heart out to God, there is a change; he moves from disillusionment to faith. Verses 5-6: But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise for He has been good to me.

Understanding:

Has God been good to you? Do you truly believe that He has a plan for you and is fully in control?

I’ve heard it said that the purpose of prayer is not to change God’s heart, but to change ours. We go to God and beg Him to change our circumstances. And when the circumstances don’t change, we think God isn’t listening or doesn’t truly love us. God doesn’t want us to stuff our feelings down or downplay our problems, He wants us to come to Him and pour out our hearts. Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  He doesn’t say, “I will answer every request in your timing or in the way you think I should.” But He does say you will find rest for your souls. That rest comes through trust and faith. He says come to me - learn from me - let me give you peace.

Life Application:

God, help me to remember to run to You with my troubles. Help me to learn to lay them at Your feet and know that You want the best for me. Help me to remember to praise You in the hard times as well as the good. And help me to allow my heart to be changed.

-Debbie Dunn