“How long will you FORGET ME, Lord? How long will you LOOK THE OTHER WAY when I am in need? How long MUST I BE HIDING DAILY anguish in my heart? How long shall my enemy HAVE THE UPPER HAND? Answer me, O Lord my God; give me light in my darkness lest I die. Don’t let my enemies say, “We have conquered him!” Don’t let them gloat that I am down. But I WILL ALWAYS TRUST IN YOU and in your mercy and SHALL REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION. I will sing to the Lord because HE HAS BLESSED ME SO RICHLY.” (Psalms 13:1-6)
What began as grieving and frustrated anguish (Psalm 13:1–4) ends in a song of praise. David cried out to God, sincerely expressing his pain as many often do, David said, “…as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I WAS ALMOST GONE. For I WAS ENVIOUS of the prosperity of the proud and wicked.” (Psalms 73:2-3)
Habakkuk the prophet saw this as well, “How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But YOU DO NOT LISTEN! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but YOU DO NOT COME TO SAVE. Must I forever see these evil deeds? THE WICKED FAR OUTNUMBER THE RIGHTEOUS, so that justice has become perverted.” (Habakkuk 1:2-4)
David, however, knows that HIS LIMITATIONS ARE NOT GOD’S FAILURES, and even when circumstances are hard, David chooses to TRUST THE LORD “In the LORD I PUT MY TRUST; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? (Psalms 11:1)
As we well know, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to THANK HIM for His answers. If you do this, you will experience GOD’S PEACE, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you TRUST IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham