In this Psalm, David dares to ask a question that many Christians are afraid to ask. He’s asking God when it will happen. How much more waiting? We’re typically taught to wait upon the Lord. Trust His timing. If that is our understanding, how do we reconcile that with what we read in Psalm 13?
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. But I 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.
New Revised Standard Version: Updated Edition (Ps 13). (2021). Friendship Press.
The first important thing to recognize is that David is trusting God with his pain. Some may find it easier to trust God when things are going well. Some may only trust Him when things go poorly. Neither of these are how we should see it. God doesn’t just want a tithe after we get a raise at work. Nor does He only want to hear your prayers when someone close to you has cancer.
It is important to understand that this Psalm is not about doubt. It is about pain. Giving God your pain and lament is showing faith and trust in God—this is why the Bible constantly shows God choosing very imperfect people. Peter didn’t cut off a guard’s ear and deny Jesus three times because God only loves us at our best. Lament is an important part of our relationships with the Lord. It shows that we believe God cares about our sorrows.
What many may miss is the difference between petition and lament. We find it easy to go to God when things are bad, and we want something. Lament is more about emotions. We can still pray when we are angry, afraid, ashamed, sad, or anxious. Yahweh is the greatest counselor that ever was. He can handle our insecurities. It is a mistake to approach God as our cosmic Santa instead of our Father and Creator.
How can we begin to treat Him in the appropriate way? This starts with regular prayer and Bible reading. In the Bible, we encounter many examples of lament from believers. Constant prayer will begin to align us with the will of the Father. We can understand what He wants and how He wants us to act without always bringing Him your shopping list of needs and wants. We can do that, but limiting it to what He can do for you, rather than being thankful and amazed at what He has already done, misses the point. How can you approach life with more lament, joy, hope, and thankfulness and less endless petition this week?
I hope to see you again tomorrow for part two!
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