Today’s Encouragement is, “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?” Psalm 13:1-2 NLT
How Long –
Can you hear his frustration and impatience? We try, but we are very impatient people. David writes this song as a prayer, and four times in two verses, he asks God, “How long?” He expresses his heartfelt emotions to God and pours out his feelings: “Have you forgotten me? Don’t you see me? I am in anguish and sorrow, and my enemies are winning!”
Yet, even in his desperation, there is clear evidence of his faith. He doesn’t deny God exists simply because He hasn’t yet answered his cries for help; rather, He expresses faith in his question, How long? As if he said, “I trust that You will help me at some point in time; when is that? Can it please be now? You are able to save me from my despair; please hurry, I can’t take much more!”
In his despair, he turns to God. And a few moments later, after honestly pouring out his brokenness… David chooses, decides, and resolves to trust God, wait in Faith, and sing to Him. “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.” (Psalm 13:5-6)
Father God, help us to pour out our hearts in honesty and then, to resolve again, in faith, to choose to trust You, to rejoice, and sing to You… because You are Good!
(This song expounds the verse much better than I.)
How Long, O Lord, How Long
Sovereign Grace Music