Monday, January 22, 2024

Psalm 13

Psalm 13 
English Standard Version 

  How long?  It's a question we've all asked.  We've asked it in waiting rooms at doctor's appointments, as we wonder how long we'll be sick for.  We've asked it reading the news, seeing another shooting death or another war breaking out.  We've asked it when we've seen people standing at the end of freeway ramps, as we've wondered how long poverty will prevail.  We've asked it as we sit in the hard pews at funeral homes, weeping for what is lost.
  How long, the Psalmist asks, and we ask as well.  
  And yet watch as the Psalm develops.  The Psalmist is clearly in a place of despair, but notice in verses 5-6 that there is already anticipation of delivery.  The Psalmist continues to trust, and his heart still rejoices, because he knows the Lord will deal bountifully.  He anticipates the coming salvation, even in the midst of despair.  May we have the faith to do the same.

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