I’m currently reading the book of Psalm hoping to find some wisdom to end the year on. In reading Psalm 13, I noticed I tend to sound like King David does here in verses 1-4 (NIV).

“¹How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide you face from me? ²How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? ³Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, ⁴and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.”

Have you ever thought, like David claims here, that God was slow to act on your behalf? We all often feel this same impatience in our lives at times, but did you notice that the phrase “how long” occurs four times in the first two verses, indicating the depth of David’s distress?

I expect most of us have felt this same level of despair at some point in our lives, but have we experienced the same level of confidence in our God as David does in the same prayer?

⁵But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. ⁶I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me.”

By the end of his prayer, David professed his hope and trust in God and found strength. David affirmed that he would continue to trust in God no matter how long he had to wait and he held on to his faith. In times of despair or when you feel impatient, don’t think of “how long”, but remember David’s steadfast faith in God’s unfailing love and trust wholeheartedly in Him.