Praying “How long?”
Psalm 13
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
2 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?3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.
Who hasn’t asked that of the Lord. If you have kids, you may have heard the familiar – ‘Are we there yet’ refrain as you travel on holidays! Our timelines are different to God’s – there is no denying that reality. And as we wait, we talk to the Lord, reminding Him of our needs, our frustrations, annoyances and grievances.
Verse 5 is the kicker here though, “But I trust in your faithfulness’. David knew he could trust God. He also knew he could have a whinge to God, and God does not hold it against him. The reality with which David speaks is disarming, hopeful and helpful.
How do you speak to God, do you express yourself fully, even if it is a whinge! Do you maintain the sense of God’s faithfulness when life is difficult?
Father, help me to remind myself and others of Your faithfulness at all times.
Written by Ps. Richard Botta