Day 52
Reflection
Despite the miraculous provision of God, his people wandering in the wilderness are quick to grumble and complain. Finally the journey comes to an end and the people prepare to enter the Land God has promised them. But before they enter in, plans are laid and a new leader chosen—Joshua. Then Moses begins a series of sermons reviewing the nation's history and God's faithfulness. Through it all God's faithfulness shines, a faithfulness that extends even to us today. And that's a thought worth praising God about! Let's do just that by reflecting on Psalm 13.
His Faithfulness
What do we do when we know God never forgets yet apparently he has forgotten us? When we know God is the Lord of hosts yet we see the enemy prevailing around us?
We probably would do what David did: ask a sincere question. Old Testament saints were no different than modern ones! David voiced many of the same questions about the supremacy of God that we have probably wrestled with. And in the process of being honest and open before God, he found strength to sustain him in his time of need.
Psalm 13 begins with lament over the trouble in which David finds himself: "How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you look the other way when I am in need?" David is impatient for God to remedy his situation. Before long his complaint gives way to a petition. "Answer me, O Lord by God." "Do something, God, or my enemies will have the last laugh and you certainly don't want that!"
Then another thought crosses David's mind. "What about the past? Has God ever failed me? Has God ever allowed my enemies to consume me? Not once!" And so, as David rehearses God's past gracious dealings in his life, he breaks forth in rejoicing and singing and suddenly the problem that engulfed him moments before doesn't seem nearly as large.
We all can ask where in our life are we tempted to complain to God, "How long?"Let's write it down in Notes in our cell phone, and then below it list the ways God has shown himself faithful in the past year. Now we need to express to him our trust that he can and will handle our present situation as well!
We probably would do what David did: ask a sincere question. Old Testament saints were no different than modern ones! David voiced many of the same questions about the supremacy of God that we have probably wrestled with. And in the process of being honest and open before God, he found strength to sustain him in his time of need.
Psalm 13 begins with lament over the trouble in which David finds himself: "How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you look the other way when I am in need?" David is impatient for God to remedy his situation. Before long his complaint gives way to a petition. "Answer me, O Lord by God." "Do something, God, or my enemies will have the last laugh and you certainly don't want that!"
Then another thought crosses David's mind. "What about the past? Has God ever failed me? Has God ever allowed my enemies to consume me? Not once!" And so, as David rehearses God's past gracious dealings in his life, he breaks forth in rejoicing and singing and suddenly the problem that engulfed him moments before doesn't seem nearly as large.
We all can ask where in our life are we tempted to complain to God, "How long?"Let's write it down in Notes in our cell phone, and then below it list the ways God has shown himself faithful in the past year. Now we need to express to him our trust that he can and will handle our present situation as well!
Prayer
Lord, we admit that sometimes it seems you aren't there, you don't hear us, you don't even know what's happening to us. And yet we realize the problem isn't with you; it's with us. For when we consider your faithfulness as recorded in your word, our trust is rekindled as David's was. We, too, 'will sing to the Lord because he has blessed us so richly!' In Jesus name, amen!
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| Rejoice for He has Blessed us so Richly!' |
