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How Long?
October 19, 2013

For 9 long years, Saul hounded David as “one hunts a partridge in the mountains” (1 Sam. 26:20). “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” David prayed. “How long will You hide Your face from me? . . . How long will my enemy be exalted over me?” (Ps. 13:1-2).

Prolonged affliction often vexes us as well. We want a sudden solution, a quick fix. But some things can’t be fixed. They can only be borne.

But we can complain to God in our troubles. We have a heavenly Father who wants us to engage with Him in our struggles. He understands His children as no one else can.

When we turn to Him with our complaints, we come to our senses. In David’s case, his thoughts went back to life’s certainty: God’s love. David reminded himself: “I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me” (vv.5-6). Sufferings may persist, but David could sing in the midst of his trials, for he was God’s beloved child. That’s all he needed to know.

A. W. Thorold writes, “The highest pinnacle of the spiritual life is not happy joy in unbroken sunshine, but absolute and undoubting trust in the love of God.”

Even in our troubles, God’s love can be trusted.

O yes, He cares; I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares! —Graeff

God’s love stands when all else fails.

Read: Psalm 13

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? —Psalm 13:1

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 56-58; 2 Thessalonians 2

About 6 years ago I took in two cats about 6 months apart. They come into the house during the day and sleep, but eat and live in the garage. I had their front claws removed, so I take care they are never outside.

Two nights ago there was a glitch when I was lowering the garage door the couple of inches it was up (because a cold night was predicted) it was midnight. Anyway the door went up instead of down, one of the cats ran out and by the time I made sure she was not still in the garage, ... she was not to be seen nor did she come to my calls. We have alleys. It was my expectation she would come back in the morning and be waiting when I got up. Not so. I walked the block all around and did not find her. The other cat is disturbed she is gone. I have walked and called the whole area. Nothing. My prayer is for her safety.

It made no sense she disappeared so quickly. It scares me for her to know her defense is largely gone. How long before she is found and recovered? Too long already.