[:en]SCRIPTURE: PSALM 13
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? (Psalm 13:1-2)
“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:5-6)
David asked God “HOW LONG” four times:
- How long will God forget me?
- How long will God hide his face from me?
- How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and everyday have sorrow in my heart?
- How long will my enemy triumph over me?
While he felt that God had hidden himself from him, he continued to pray and looked to God. He reasoned with God that the longer he waited, the more the enemy would overcome him. However, he stood firm in faith and trusted in His unfailing love. He continued to rejoice in his salvation and sing praises to the Lord.
Sometimes, you wonder why God does not act on your behalf. Why doesn’t he answer your prayer. You get so impatient and discouraged. But when you read the Bible, you can see many men in the Bible having to wait on the Lord. Abraham waited for 25 years to become a father. Jacob waited for 20 years before he could go back to where he was supposed to be. Joseph waited 13 years before he was set free from prison. Moses waited for 80 years before leading the Israelites out of Egypt. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed for two more days before he went to Judea. But he brought a greater miracle by raising Lazarus to life. So, learn to wait on the Lord by trusting Him and resting in His Word.[:]