Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
1 O LORD, how long will YOU forget me? Forever? How long will YOU look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” ~ Psalm 13:1-2
Sometimes all we need to do is talk over a problem with a friend to help put it in perspective. In this psalm, the phrase “how long” occurs four times in the first two verses, indicating the depth of David’s distress. David expressed his feelings to GOD and found strength. So, by the end of his prayer, he was able to express hope and trust in GOD. Through prayer we can express our feelings and talk our problems out with GOD. HE helps us regain the right perspective, and this gives us peace.
17 “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the GOD of my salvation. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength! HE will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.” ~ Habakkuk 3:17-19 – Crop failure and the death of animals would devastate Judah. But Habakkuk affirmed that even in times of starvation and loss, he would still rejoice in the LORD. Habakkuk’s feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in GOD’s ability to give him strength.
Habakkuk asked GOD why evil people prosper while the righteous suffer. GOD’s answer: They do not, not in the long run. Habakkuk saw his own limitations in contrast to GOD’s unlimited power and control over the world’s events. GOD is alive and in control of the world and its events. We cannot see all that GOD is doing, and we cannot see all that GOD will do. But we can be assured that HE is GOD and HE will do what is right. Knowing this can give us confidence and hope in a confusing world. GOD will give HIS followers strength and confidence in difficult times. They will run surefooted as deer across rough and dangerous terrain. At the proper time, GOD will bring about HIS justice and completely rid the world of evil. In the meantime, GOD’s people need to live in the strength of HIS Spirit, confident in HIS ultimate victory over evil. When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember that GOD gives strength. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to GOD.
Father, YOU are GOD and we express our hope and trust in YOU. We know that YOU are our strength; YOU will make us surefooted as a deer. We know and we believe that YOU, Father GOD, are in control of the events of this world, and we are sure that YOU will do what is right. Knowing this gives us confidence and hope in this otherwise confusing world. We find our strength in YOUR Spirit, confident in YOUR ultimate victory over sin and evil. Father, we are grateful that one day YOU will rid this world of evil, therefore when our troubles seem more than we can bear, we will draw our strength from YOU. We take our eyes off of our worldly troubles and we look to YOU, Father GOD because YOU have overcome the world!
Can I get a Hallelujah! Amen!
Photo: Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park, Colorado)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge.
