Friday 09/16/05 - Psalm 13

If you’ve been going through a hard time lately, then you will definitely be able to relate to Psalm 13.

This psalm is one of lament. The psalmist repeats the question, “How long?” four times in the first two verses. He fights enemies within—his own thoughts and sorrow—as well as enemies without. Have you experienced or are experiencing something similar to this? You have an “enemy,” the thought of which causes you to wrestle with your own thoughts. And the more you think about it, the more you brood, worry, and feel downright sad or depressed.

Listen to the psalmist impassioned plea for help: “Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death” (v. 3). He knows he’s in trouble, and the only way that he can avoid death is if the Lord looks on him and answers his plea.

How do you respond to sorrow within and enemies without? Do you, like the psalmist, cry out to the Lord, knowing that He is your only hope? Or do you look to something or someone other than the Lord for help? One simple way to answer this question is to look at how much you pray. If you really believe that God can and wants to help, you will pray. And you will pray sincerely, as the psalmist does here. It will not be a chore or duty; rather, you will call out to him because you know in your heart that unless you do, you are lost.

And what is the basis for the psalmist’s confidence? God’s unfailing love, His salvation, and the Lord’s goodness—all of which find their unique fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He has walked where you walk: He has suffered, He was tempted, He knows weakness and pain far more than you do. And yet, He was without sin. And He conquered His enemy, and He did it for you. Look to Jesus as the One who has suffered with and for you, and as the One who can deliver you from your suffering.

Click here to return to Daily Devotions schedules