This is the time of year when sickness runs rampant, isn't it? All those germs floating around just waiting to land on YOU! It's no fun being under the weather, whether you're a child or a grown-up. What emotions do you feel when you are sick at home? What techniques do you use to combat discouragement when you are unwell or experiencing a long-term illness? Are your friends or family a help to you through your infirmity or time of discouragement? How do difficult situations such as these usually affect your relationship with the Lord? What happens to your prayer life during these off-color times? How should life's challenges impact our Christian walk? Today I want to look at Psalm 13 where we find David facing a difficult period in his life. He was in the midst of a prolonged trial and we find him waiting for an answer from the Lord. There are some questions going through David's mind during this below-par season; perhaps you can identify with them…
Psalm 13:1-2 (KJV)
How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide
thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow
in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
David approaches the Lord in protest asking Him four intense questions and every one of them began with "How long?". Have you been to the Lord with that exact question before, perhaps even today? Do you ever feel that your prayer life consists of nothing more than asking, "How long?" Sometimes when we are faced with long term trials, whether illness or discouragement of some kind, we feel as if our God is hidden, don't we? We feel as if our heavenly Father has forgotten us as David himself here stated. HAS the Lord forgotten us? Of course not! He is still there, but we can't see Him - and won't - until we are willing to overlook the "length of time" that is personally tolerable and accept GOD'S timing for our lives. It is a common temptation, when trouble lasts long, to think that it will last always. Ladies, Divine delays are not because we are forgotten by God, but because of His great love for us! There is no need to protest and suppose the worst all the time. The problem is, we want to experience a "remote control" Christianity, where we can fast-forward through our trials and get to the place of comfort and ease again. However, in so doing, we would fast-forward ourselves right out of trusting in the Lord! Examine your prayer life and see if you might be guilty of just that very thing.
What I enjoy most about the psalms is that there are a variety of emotions expressed in them. Here, in this one, we can follow the thought process of David in working out the struggles of his own heart. In what specific ways do you think we should follow David's example of questioning God about difficult circumstances? Should we be overcome by the lack of answers and fall into discouragement and doubt, or continue on in trust? Let's see how David worked it out…
Psalm 13:3 (KJV)
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the
sleep of death;
"Lighten mine eyes..." This arrangement of words depicts a yieldedness of the psalmist's heart to whatever the Lord's will is for his life! Through prayer, David's restless protest progresses into a plea for better understanding of his situation, for he knew how near total despondency he was. Notice though, that through this long term trial and unanswered prayer for deliverance, David still refers to Jehovah as "my God." Rather than becoming bitter over length of time, he simply asked the Lord to help him see things through GOD’S eyes and not his own, for he knew his human eyesight was weak! A simple but weighty prayer, amen? In verse 4 David gives the reason for his plea:
Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice in thy salvation.
Here we find David prevails against his enemies on his knees - a very wise way to do battle! He strongly desires that in his life the honor of God is exemplified at all times, even in prolonged difficulty. Oftentimes we become so overwhelmed with our circumstances that we no longer consider the testimony of the Lord in our lives - we just want deliverance at any expense! Hence, we reach for things we ought not. Ladies, when we fall into those negative emotions such as despondency, discouragement, doubt, or depression due to a long term illness or trial in our lives, we have actually allowed those very enemies to prevail against us! This is NOT how life's challenges should impact our Christian walk, amen? Instead, they should cause us to be all the more determined to trust in our Lord - in spite of our lack of understanding as to why we are not delivered from our trials sooner than we would like to be. Yes, David carefully bathed his long term trial in prayer for victory over discouragement and found the strength to accept his circumstances for the purpose of honoring His God.
Notice that while his initial reaction was one of feeling abandoned by God, David did not continue on in that reaction. His feelings of isolation from God and his ability to rejoice in God are only a prayer away! What a reversal is seen in this psalm, amen? Sudden, delightful changes such as these are often very remarkable – all accomplished without having to see a psychiatrist or take an antidepressant! It's a work of the Holy Spirit within David’s heart and mind. Let's see how this story ends as we continue on with verses 5 & 6:
But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
Ladies, David's emotions changed drastically when he reminded himself of God's character - the character of mercy! He recalled the past acts of God's goodness in his life and was able to encourage himself in his present situation. With the reminder of God's great love for him, the gift of salvation in his life, David went from protesting his situation to praising God during it. Giving fresh consideration to our salvation ought always bring a song to our hearts! If you have faith in God's mercy for your soul, then why not have faith in God's mercy for your sufferings?? David chose to sing unto the Lord when he recognized the bounty that had already been bestowed upon him. Yes, he could and would go on without knowing "How long?". David could and would endure to the finish through focusing on the character of God rather than the measure of time, or the pain of trial in his life. David straightened out his own thinking with truth and ends this psalm in confidence - much differently than the way it started out! If David can do it, then you and I can too! Prayer is the key…
Psalm 107:28 (KJV)
Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out
of their distresses.
In closing, what part should honesty play in our prayers to the Lord? David was honest before the Lord but it brought about healing only when he coupled that honesty with faith and trust in God. There was no bitterness of soul to his frankness, but rather rejoicing! Have you ever protested your circumstances, dear lady? Have you ever questioned the Lord and been completely honest with Him? Was that honesty coupled with faith and trust, or sarcasm, unbelief, and anger?? How do your emotions change when you remind yourself of God's character? Perhaps you need to spend some time focusing on the past acts of God's goodness in your life so that you can encourage yourself to continue trusting in the Lord! Don't allow yourself to be distressed by negative emotions when faced with a difficult situation where you can’t see an end in sight anytime soon. No matter the status of our trial, we need to arrive at the same place David did, expressing confidence in our Lord as we place our trust in Him. Your fears and complaints are unnecessary; throw yourself upon the Lord's tender mercies and find comfort for your weary soul! Then leave the throne of grace with peace in your heart and a joyful countenance.
Ladies, the world needs to witness God's people resting confidently in the Lord, otherwise what kind of "faith portrait" are we painting for those who have no hope?? Are we placing the color of doubt on our canvas, the color of fear, abandonment, sorrow, depression, or the glorious colors of faith, trust, hope, joy, and confidence in God? All of which are possible through dipping our brushes deeply into prayer…
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
