Good morning, everyone!
Today I read Psalm 9-16.
I realized, however, that the way I did the post yesterday isn't going to work for the Psalms. So, rather than talking about bits from every psalm, rather I'm just going to choose one psalm and go over it. Later, I really will do a blog post on each psalm, and then I can just link back to these posts.
Moving on. Today I chose Psalm 13.
How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul? Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken. But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Has anyone felt like this before? I have. And so did David. Naturally, his life wasn't perfect, and he was often surrounded by enemies - sometimes literally.
We can feel like that sometimes. At home. At work. At church (yikes!). At school. We can feel like we are surrounded by enemies. We can feel like God has forgotten us. "How long, O Lord, will You hide from me?" We cry out to Him, and it feels like He isn't listening. Like He isn't moving on our behalf. We can feel like we are surrounded by enemies.
But. And then comes the "but." David was really good at using the word "but."
"But I have trusted in our lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation."
But.
I am surrounded by enemies. But.
I hate my job. But.
I get bullied at school. But.
My coworkers incite me to anger. But.
My boss is trying to get me fired. But.
My spouse and I are fighting. But.
I was hurt by someone at church. But.
My kids don't respect me. But.
My parents don't understand me. But.
But.
I will trust in the Lord. I will trust in His lovingkindness. I will trust in His salvation.
Even though I can't see the outcome, I know that God works all things together for my good. Even though He feels far away, I know He is always with me. Even though it seems the situation will never get better, I know God is faithful. Even though I want a solution now, I know God's timing is perfect.
By the way, let's take a moment to look at what lovingkindness means. It means "tenderness and consideration toward others,"1 or "tender kindness motivated by or expressing affection."2
God loves you. God loves all of us. He is tender and affectionate toward us. And He expresses that through kindness and consideration. He always takes care of us. All we need to do is ask.
It may not manifest exactly as we thought it would, or exactly as we wanted - He is our Heavenly Father, after all, and He knows more than we do. But it will manifest in a blessing that is beyond what we could have ever imagined. God only wants what is good for us. He may not give us exactly what we want, but He will always gives us exactly what we need. And then some.
Remember, His lovingkindness and mercy abound. No matter how many enemies surround you, God is on your side. Trust in Him, and seek His counsel.
I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Psalms 17-20.
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