1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 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? 3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13, ESV)
Lord, your Word reminds me that my situation is not unique, yet nor are my emotional reactions illegitimate. From my perspective you delay, you tarry, but my perspective is not sovereign, furthermore, it is tainted by selfishness. When Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow before his death, his mind was not upon himself, but his disciples and loved ones. I may feel that you are absent and I may feel the desire to escape my present situation, but you lead me to direct these feelings according to your word, so that my mind might be renewed. I have trusted in your steadfast love. You display it in the cross of Christ. My heart rejoices in your salvation. You have given your Son, what good thing would you then withhold? In this world of trouble, my song is to you. You word renews, enlightens, and directs my mind, emotions, and will rightly, to your Truth. You have dealt bountifully with me. My blessings far outnumber my difficulties. You provide and protect. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Examples of your generosity toward me are manifold, and examples of your providence are everywhere. A sparrow doesn’t fall without you knowing it. You clothe these new dandelions, daffodils, and tulips brought forth by the spring warmth in unsurpassed beauty. A beauty that serves no purpose other than to glorify yourself, which is good and right for all of your created beings. As others have declared, when I cannot trace your hand, may I trust your heart. Fill me with the knowledge of your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of you Lord, fully pleasing to you: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to your glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to you Father, who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. You have delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of your beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Shore Community Church 