Psalm 13 - How Long, O Lord?

Have you ever cried David’s words from Psalm 13 – How long, O Lord? Does God ever seem distant, as if He’s not listening to you? Often I feel that way! It might be health concerns, depression or financial worries. Depending on where you live in this world, it could even be oppression and persecution. Well we’re in good company if David’s heartfelt cry in Psalm 13 is any example:

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death;

Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.

But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:1-6

As the conclusion of David’s Psalm implies, God often makes us wait before responding to out cries. Pastor Alistair Begg recently touched upon Psalm 13 in light of Hannah, who was married to Elkanah. Hannah was barren. Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife made her life miserable and Hannah bitter. So Hannah prayed to God:

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 1Sa 1:10-11

Sometimes God makes us wait for our own good. In Hannah’s case she finally gave birth to the prophet Samuel. She waited and God answered.

And she [Hannah] said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there. 1Sa 1:26-28

Wait upon the Lord!

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14