Psalm 13 -- Says So Much!

Six verses!  Just right!  My written summary in the margins from another time say, “David asks God, ‘How long?’ and expects (demands) an answer.  He changes his heart instead.”

My commentary fleshed it out some more:

“David was certainly disturbed by what the enemy was doing, but he was more concerned about what the Lord was not doing.  ‘How long?’ is a familiar question in Scripture and is a perfectly good question to ask if your heart is right with God … but now he felt abandoned … We must not deny our feelings and pretend that everything is going well, and there is no sin in asking, ‘How long?’  But at the same time, we must realize how deceptive our feelings are and that God is greater than our hearts and can lift us above the emotional storms of life … David finally replaced ‘How long?’ with ‘My times re in Your hands’ later in Scripture.  That is a lesson that all believers must learn.”

He prayed that God would look at him, fixing His eyes on him.  He wanted to see God’s face again.  He prayed for an encouraging answer.  He also prayed, “Give light to my eye,” which included spiritual enlightenment and physical and emotional vitality and strength, my commentary said.

He also became concerned about God’s glory again.  If David failed to become king as God had promised, God’s name would be ridiculed.

“David’s feelings had been on a roller coaster, but God was still on the throne, and His character had not changed.  God’s mercy (steadfast love) was all that David needed, for it would never fail … David’s circumstances haven’t changed, but the Lord had changed him, and that occurred when David stopped looking at his feelings and his foes and by faith started looking to the Lord.”

I’ve felt the same way lately, Father.  Thank You for the reminder.  I love You!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford