Psalm 13:1   “How long, O LORD?”

[There will be times when God seems distant, when He is not answering our prayers on our time table, when things are going awry with no help in sight. We pray and wait, but nothing seems to happen]

“Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Psa. 13:2) How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?”

[There are dark valleys in life, ones we must pass through. These may be sickness, unemployment, relationship problems, depression or fears sparked by governmental chaos and failure, by wars or great disasters. But you, in your goodness, designed or allowed each one to mature us, bring glory to yourself and to demonstrate your power to the world.

As we know and believe this, we can have hope in the midst of despair, we can have light in the midst of darkness—and yet at times our hearts fail us as we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by disappointment and the immediate circumstances surrounding us.]

“How long will my enemy triumph over me?”

[At times the enemy does triumph over us—evil leaders arise in nations (ISIS), bad decisions are made by government or mission leaders, churches fall apart, families dissolve in bitterness, hard working people can suddenly become homeless.

None of these may be your specific will, but you allow them for greater reasons. For unbelievers it is to nudge them towards belief. For believers it is opportunity for growth and rewards: “Now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” 1 Pet. 1:6-7).

No matter what, Lord, you are always there: you are at work, deeply, quietly, powerfully, patiently waiting for the right moment to move. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” In this we can rest. Help us to do so today.]