I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6
David begins this psalm with a series of questions directed to God, starting with “how long…?”. This psalm talks about pain and difficulty that shows no sign of ending and prayer for strength to continue.
The hardest trials to endure are the ones where the pain is the longest. Sometimes a person goes through situations where the pain and anguish experienced is over a long period. For instance, long-term grief due to the loss of a loved one or strain in relationships. Or it could be exhaustion due to an ailment or the burden of responsibilities.
How does this psalm teach us to pray when we find ourselves in situations like these?
Firstly, cry out to God with frankness and truth; lay your struggles and whatever you feel in front of God.
Secondly, lift your needs to God.
Thirdly, lean into what you know about God’s character and recall His steadfast love and goodness in the past.
David rejoiced in the past and remembered God’s faithfulness with which God graciously dealt with him. It served as a ladder of hope to lead him out of the pit of despair.
We have lacked in the past; God has provided.
We have ailed in the past; God has healed.
We have mourned in the past; God has comforted and brought joy.
We have failed in the past; God has redeemed us.
We have sinned in the past; God has forgiven us.
May our spirits be filled with hope by singing and delighting in God’s faithfulness. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can expect God’s goodness of the past in our future too!
