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“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?”
This is the cry of King David’s heart in Psalm 13. We are not told the situation around which David wrote this Psalm, but as Jenalyn and I studied it together we thought about how often this was the cry of our hearts in seasons of waiting. In times of waiting, it feels like things are happening for everyone except ourselves. All our friends seem to be moving onto the next season while we are stuck at waiting. We may feel like God has forgotten to bless us too. Sometimes we can drive ourselves crazy with trying to grow ourselves. We feel like we are not enough. That if we can just be better, do better, God will give us the next thing. It may simply leave us with the question, What do I do with this? In Psalm 13, David gives us a few keys to help us through a tough season of waiting.
Keep looking up to God (Psalm 13:5a)
In Genesis God promises to give Abraham and Sarah a son. Instead of waiting for God to fulfill His promise, Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands. Instead of fulfilling her desire to have a son, she makes the situation harder. While we are waiting, it is tempting to try to make things happen on our own. We have to remember who is in control. When we try to do it on our own, we generally end up more hurt and distressed. No matter how much we want to, we cannot rush or speed along the process. When we let go of what we want and embrace what God has for us right now, we start working with God instead of working against Him. God’s love for us is steadfast. Even though we may feel like He has forsaken us, we must trust that He is working in every minute of our lives.
Look ahead (Psalm 13:5b)
When we are in the waiting stage, the future can feel bleak. We do not always see hope that we will get the desire of our heart. Looking ahead to God’s salvation reminds us where our ultimate hope lies. It helps us stay on track and stay motivated to keep living our lives for God in the now. Matthew 6:33 encourages,
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Are you seeking what you are waiting for over God?
God is faithful to those who seek and trust Him. He may not always give us what we want but He will give us what we need. We can find joy in our times of waiting, knowing we have a Hope that Does Not Disappoint.
Look back (Psalm 13:6)
Jenalyn: In one season of waiting, I was watching kids at my house. During this season of my life, I felt stuck where I was and I did not feel like what I was doing mattered. I did not see the impact I was having until one of the girls gave me a scrapbook and inside she wrote, “the most important thing you taught me was about God.” At that moment, I realized how much of an impact I was having even in my time of waiting. Sometimes when we look back, we can see the bigger plan. Another blessing we can get from looking back is seeing all the times God was faithful to us. This gives us confidence. It gives us a reason to praise. If He was faithful before, why would He not be faithful now?
Steadfast love
While there can be a lot of uncertainties in times of waiting, one thing we know for sure is God’s love is steadfast. What does that mean to those of us who are waiting? It means, my sweet sister, that you are not forgotten. God is with you even in this time when it may feel like He is not working. It means that you are not waiting without hope. It means that you can do great things during this season of your life. King David says it best in Psalm 27:14,
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
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