Psalm 13

Today’s Passage: Psalm 13
 
I am constantly flummoxed at the unreasonableness of overtired children. They fight rest loudly—but their thrashing is the exact opposite path to solve their problem. Psalm 13 feels like an overtired child in the sense that it starts with big emotion and slowly works its way to a slow steady restfulness. One commentator expressed this idea much more eloquently, “This song as it were casts up constantly lessening waves, until it becomes still as the sea when smooth as a mirror, and the only motion discernible at last is that of the joyous ripple of calm repose.”

Psalm 13 starts in utter despair asking the question, “How long…” four times. It moves to a petition for deliverance in verses 3–4, before expressing hope and trust in the Lord (5–6). 

Although we don’t know the particulars of David’s circumstances, all of us know the feeling of uncertainty. We all echo the cry, “how long,” at various times. David felt forgotten as if rescue would have to come from himself alone, “How long must I take counsel in my soul?” David wanted God to move, but it didn’t feel like God was moving. Perhaps, David lacked rest in the Lord because he wasn’t resting in the Lord—he sought his own council within himself. 

When my kids get overtired and their emotions get big, I just want them to trust me through it. If they could understand things from my perspective, their struggle could be done and dusted with so much less frustration. The Father’s perspective is exactly what David prayed for in verse3b, “light up my eyes.” For all of the possibilities and fears of what might happen—“lest I sleep… lest my enemy… lest my foes…—the cure for that kind of worry is the Father’s perspective. Gaining that perspective begins with reminding ourselves of who we are in him. 

David remembers trusting in God’s “steadfast love.” David understood God’s irrevocable love was based on a promise. “Steadfast love” refers to God’s special affection for those who trust in him. It is the love we experience as we enter the family of God at the moment of salvation. 

As a recipient of God’s steadfast love and one who has tasted salvation, we can endure anything. This is why Paul says in Romans 5, “3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Whatever we’re going through, we have a great opportunity to glorify the Lord through it. God doesn’t always spare us pain and despair, but he does promise to be with us through it. That’s why Paul said we rejoice (boast) in our suffering. Ultimately, suffering confirms the hope that we have in the Lord because the Holy Spirit has been poured into our hearts. I don’t think it’s wrong to let ourselves feel the heartache and pain this life has to offer. Part of sin’s consequences means we will endure suffering in this life. In the depths of that agony, it’s OK to cry out questions to God like David did. However, as Tim used to often say, “It’s OK to have doubt, but it’s not OK to live in doubt.” 

Despair may overtake us, but as we seek the Lord and his perspective through it, we are not put to shame. God confirms our hope. And like David, even in the midst of turmoil we can sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Written By: Tyler Short


1 Comment


Lindsay - August 8th, 2022 at 10:36am

Such an encouraging post today, Tyler. Love your use of the word flummoxed; it's been a minute since I've heard that word! So true about kids being tired and pretty much losing their minds. I think we as adults do the same thing when our bodies spin out of control due to being tired, hungry, etc. I'm so glad our God is perfect in His patience and grace.

Have a truly blessed day CPC!

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