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? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13: 1-6
Can you relate to David’s words here? How long, O Lord? How long will our world be so divided? How long will our nation have so much unrest? How long will my heart ache for those that have been lost? How long will my child be sick? How long will my spouse treat me so unkindly? How long will I feel alone? How long will someone I care for reject you?
These are all good, hard questions that many of us have taken to the Lord at some time throughout our lives. Our hearts can mislead us and can tempt us to believe that our God is cruel, but that is the farthest thing from truth. The Bible tells us countless times that all trials, suffering, and hardship are for our good and God’s glory.
Waiting on the Lord’s perfect, all-knowing timing is always worthwhile. It’s not easy in our own strength to lean in to the growing pains of waiting, but we are not called to do it in our own strength. Call on the Lord to show Himself to you in the waiting, longing, and unknowing.
His ways are not our ways. Trust in His steadfast love. Rejoice in your salvation. Sing to the Lord. Thank Him for all the good, thoughtful gifts he has given to you. Not focusing on the answers you don’t have.
Our weakness is often a reminder from the Lord to stop trying to be in control. We may never know how our response to suffering points another to Jesus. May we always point others to the one who can comfort, heal, and change our hearts.
ACTION STEPS with your kids: Read Psalm 13 with your kids. Ask them what things are hard for them right now? Maybe what’s hard to understand about our world, a relationship, or a decision you made that has impacted them. Pray together asking the Lord to give them a desire to know and trust the word of God above anything else. Pray for their hearts to trust in the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Thank the Lord for His many good gifts.
