“Long enough, GOD—You’ve ignored me long enough.
I’ve looked at the back of Your head long enough.
Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain.
Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me.
Take a good look at me, GOD, My God; I want to look life in the eye,
So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.”
Psalm 13:1-4 (MSG)
Have you ever felt like you have reached the end of your rope? You’ve prayed, and cried, and longed for God to answer for so long, and now you’re just “done” with it all. He’s not listening, He’s not answering, you feel neglected…has He forgotten you?
The first time I read Psalm 13, I was in the middle of one of the worst times in my life. I had prayed and prayed and prayed and was seeing no change in my situation. It felt like God had left me.
Feelings get us in more trouble than we could ever want. The feelings aren’t the problem. God gave us those feelings; anger, love, care, sorrow… God felt those feelings and we are created in His image so it’s natural that we have those feelings as well. But, although we are created in His image, our feelings are affected by our sinful nature. We can’t trust our feelings or live our lives ruled by those feelings.
“Feelings…nothing more than feelings…”
(isn’t that a song?).
One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 49:16, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” We are never out of His sight or out of His thoughts.
David felt forgotten when he wrote this “Psalm of Transition”. But he was wise enough to know that though his feelings were powerful, they weren’t reality.
But what I love about this Psalm, is David is real about his feelings. As the Message puts it, “Long enough God – You’ve ignored me long enough!” When I first read that I thought, “Whoa…David, that’s pretty strong!” But it wasn’t as if God didn’t already know what David was thinking. This Psalm is a wonderful example of letting God know your frustrations and fears, even sometimes your anger because God is fully aware of them anyway.
But here’s the beautiful thing…David ends it by remembering all God has done for him and brought him through.
“But I trust in Your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in Your salvation.
I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for He has been good to me.”
Psalm 13:5-6 (NIV)
Oh, He’s so faithful! He will always answer, but in His time. When I was a young girl growing up in Texas, I had a pastor who said, “God is never late…but He’s rarely early.” He’s always right on time!
Be patient, hold onto His Word and His promises. He’s got the answer and it’s on the way. In the meantime…rejoice! For He has been good to you!
‘Lena
2023
I just ran across this on my FB. God is always there when you need Him!! I’m reading this Psalm and I feel like this is me! He’s talking to me!! I realize it is so many more than me. We are in so much pain during these turbulent times but God is always timely and I thank you for posting this just when I NEEDED to see it. ❤️