Psalms

Psalms 13: Loving kindness through the waiting

Begin in prayer

Before we bring our questions about waiting, let us remember the Lord's loving kindness. Ask Him to help us speak honestly in prayer and find hope in Jesus.

For thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.

Ezekiel 34:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the LORD's loving kindness gives His people reason to hope while they wait. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David asks how long the LORD will seem to forget him and hide His face. Sorrow fills his heart each day while an enemy appears to triumph. He asks God to look, answer and give light to his eyes so he will not sleep in death. His closing words turn to the loving kindness in which he trusts and the salvation that makes his heart rejoice. He resolves to sing because the LORD has been good to him.

As you read Psalms 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD's loving kindness gives His people hope when sorrow makes them ask how long.

Four times David asks how long, bringing the delay before the LORD rather than keeping it inside himself. His fear of being forgotten is spoken to the God he still calls his own. Taking counsel in his soul describes the inward wrestling that accompanies daily sorrow. Giving light to his eyes asks for renewed life instead of the darkness of death. He also asks that his enemies will have no victory to boast about. The prayer turns on God's loving kindness, His faithful care on which David has already learned to rely. No account of a changed situation is given before the resolve to sing. Past goodness gives the waiting heart reason to hope for God's salvation.

How does Psalm 13 show us that the LORD's loving kindness gives His people hope when sorrow makes them ask how long?

The LORD lets David bring his waiting sorrow to Him.

David's repeated question names the pain of delay. He fears death and the enemy's triumph, yet still addresses the LORD as his God. His troubled heart has someone to whom it can cry.

God's loving kindness gives David a reason to sing.

The song ends with trust, rejoicing and the resolve to praise. David remembers that the LORD has been good to him. God's character supplies hope while the question of how long remains unanswered.

Memorise

But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 13:5

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sorrow am I allowing to silence my prayers to Jesus?

David asks, “How long will you hide your face from me?” He does not hide the question from God. Yet the prayer ends with a song, because the LORD's goodness gives him reason to trust.

Our sin brings a greater need than relief from delay. Jesus was forsaken as He carried His people's sin under judgment on the cross, while the Father continued to love His Son. Death gave way when He rose. Christ has fully secured His people's peace with God, giving those who trust Him forgiveness while they wait for comfort.

Come to Him with repentance and trust. He promises forgiveness to everyone who relies on His saving work. You may still have questions, and you may still be waiting. Bring them to the risen Savior, whose mercy has given His people a hope that suffering cannot take away.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD's loving kindness gives His people reason to hope while they wait. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the loving kindness that gives His people hope in sorrow. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Most certainly I tell you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.

John 16:20

Lord, we bring You the sorrows that have lasted longer than we hoped. Please draw us to repent and trust the Savior who suffered and rose. Thank You for the goodness You have shown. Teach us to keep praying and to remember Your mercy through our waiting this week. Amen.