April 24, 2023 – 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[a] 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.” Psalm 13 

“The 13th psalm is a psalm of prayer against the sorrow or sadness of the spirit that comes at times from the devil himself, or at times from those who act against us with spite and evil tricks. As a result, we are cast down and grieve when we see such evil aligned against us. But prayer is stronger than all misfortune. This psalm gives us an example by which we certainly may be comforted and learn in every kind of calamity not to become anxious or downcast, nor let these troubles eat at our hearts. Instead, we learn to turn to prayer, crying to God about all of these things. We know that we will be heard and finally be delivered, as James 5:13 also says: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.” (Martin Luther, Reading the Psalms with Luther) 

“How long Lord — How long?” This is more of an idiomatic expression used in the scriptures — because we trust that the Lord knows all — and we trust that the Lord has a timeline in mind. We, however, will never know G-d fully enough to have any idea of when — we just trust that it will be done. Amen.  

The protection, refuge, and safety the writer once experienced in his life seems to have vanished. But even though he asks “How long”, his trust betrays his lament. The writer knows that all will be accomplished — but when, where, how and through whom often leaves us wanting.   

This is a common feeling that most experience. When things go wrong or trouble comes, many times we say the very words, “Where is G-d?” What happened to the Lord watching over us? Why is G-d hiding G-d’s face? How long, Lord? No matter how long, we trust in your deliverance.  

Prayer: Lord Jesus, who by Your incarnation was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief, graciously remember us who are yet walking in this vale of tears and who must enter Your kingdom through many tribulations. As You have promised to be with Your own and to support them to the end, grant us Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of joy and of peace, to comfort our hearts and the hearts of all Your afflicted Christians with Your everlasting comfort. Amen. 

Pastor Dave