Psalm 13, a lament, follows the psalmist David through a sorrowful protest and petition only to end in hope and joyful praise of God’s steadfast love, His grace, and His salvation. In spite of struggle and conflict, among fear and frustration, David does not abandon his trust in God’s steadfast love and salvation.
I can’t help but reflect on times in my own life when God could have flipped this opening protest and asked it of me instead. “How long, Andrew? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?”. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, when I walk in sin, when I feel foolish and ashamed, I am greatly tempted to hide my face from God. My enemy pounces on those opportunities to make me think I am unworthy of redemption. With God, we know this is false.
When we are sad, scared, devastated, ashamed, God does not hide His face from us, so why should we hide ours from Him? He does not see us as unworthy. He longs for us to draw near, tell Him how we feel, and ask for His helping hands. He is our source of hope. We can always trust in Him because He is steadfast; His love never fails. When we draw near to Him, to His Word, and to each other, God can lead us out of any darkness.
From Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV), “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”. Lord, may we remember this anew every morning, come rain or come shine. Amen.
- Andrew H.