How Long? 

Psalm 13

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul

and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (13:1,2). 

Saul and his army had been hounding David for nine years. Would his troubles never end? 

David looked around and saw an enemy intent on killing him. He looked up and wondered if God even cared. He looked into his own heart and found no counsel or comfort there. 

In extremis, he shot up a prayer: "Lord, my God, listen to me and enlighten me" (13:3)—at which point God reminded him of a forgotten factor: His steadfast love (13:5). Then, though nothing changed circumstantially, David burst into song! (13:6).

"Jesus loves me this I know..." Sometimes that's all I need to know.

David Roper

9.23.19