Week 4: Psalm 13
Psalm 13
Forgotten. Sorrowful. Defeated. This is the weary posture we find in this week's Psalm. The psalmist uses language that shows great anguish—from a troubled heart to eyes that are so weary, they can practically see death. Have you ever found yourself deep in the trenches of a season like this? One where you feel like God has neglected, abandoned, and hidden His face from you?
Oh friend, I've been there and I see you. Have you experienced grief that engulfs your heart like a consuming fire? Me too. Have you felt forsaken by the Father? Me too. Have you struggled to pick up the pieces when the life story that you hoped for has shattered into a million failed expectations? Me too.
The thing I love about this particular Psalm is the way the tone shifts from defeat to victory in the span of a few lines. The psalmist begs the Lord for an answer about how long this suffering will be endured, but decides to worship in the waiting. We aren't told that the circumstances changed or that a clear answer was given, yet we see a “But God” mentality carry the psalmist through tribulation. A conscious decision was made to trust, rejoice, and sing to the Lord, simply because He's provided the irreplaceable gift of salvation.
This is good news for us.
We may not be able to see our way out of the pit, but we can praise Him because He saved us.
We may not have evidence of the blessing we've been longing for, but we can praise Him because He saved us.
We may not feel the healing we've been praying for, but we can praise Him because He saved us.
We may feel downtrodden and wrapped in despair, but we can praise Him because He saved us.
We may feel like Satan has won the battle in our minds, but we can praise Him because He saved us.
Salvation is our foundation for exultation.
God's track record is still good when our circumstances aren't. When we recall His faithfulness in saving us, we can rejoice in spite of being wrecked. With this in mind, let us marvel at His mercy. As we cry out in desperation and ask Him, “How long?” may we also be able to proclaim, “But God.”
-Simone