“How Long?” (Ps 13)

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? (vs1-2)

It appears the enemy is winning, and we want it to stop, so we ask God, “How long” until you intervene? How long, until you help? And, the answers comes from heaven, every time. He always helps us as promised. But, it is NEEDING help that draws us near to Christ to get good works, faith, love, and hope. Our souls FEEL needy, so we remedy it by faith that prays. Don't be ashamed. You're not the only one who feels forsaken, feels weak, and feels NEEDY. You are among God's elect.

David had everything humans could wish for... he had women, money, and power. He was the king over all Israel, not in bondage to any nation, and he had the desires of mankind at his fingertips. But, one thing was needed, and that was God. He needed God to be his strength, God to fight his foes, and God to keep him from perishing. Not only did he have much, but he needed God to manage it daily. He was DEPENDENT on Him. The Christian isn't self-taught or self-strengthened. He depends on God daily, and by THIS honest dependence, he gets from God what he needs, even love, joy, and peace. He gets the power to honor Christ in a sinful world!

If God doesn't help, we perish, and this is the kind of helper He is, a helper to the needy, the helpless, and the poor in spirit (vs3-4). We read, “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved”. God does not help the mighty. He doesn't deal with people who have their own righteousness or strength. He only saves the sinful, strengthens the weak, and He only delivers the soul that's in utter bondage. If you are helpless, then He helps, and we are helpless... so let it be known. Don't think your inability keeps you from mercy. You don't have to be mighty before you start, or good before you can be rewarded. The gospel is dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ for everything, and the more needy we are, the better. This is why we come for power. He says, “Open your mouth, and I’ll fill it” (Ps 81:10). He knows He must do it, and that's His glory, to save us by Himself, alone.

Finally, rejoice, child of God (vs5-6). You are not forsaken. Scripture says, “But 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”. Now, it may appear that you are opposed and helpless, but God's faithfulness is the invisible hand that shall soon be the visible reality. He has heard your prayers, and He forsakes not His anointed, never denying gospel rewards to gospel believers. Join up with Christ, and know that as He is, the Son of God, unique and precious, so are you, sons of God through Him. You are beloved, elected, and surely to be blessed. You are God's children, so don't despair as if God is deaf or unconcerned. Rejoice ahead of time in what shall happen in time to come. Rejoice NOW in heaven to come. Rejoice NOW in victory over sin, even while you deal with temptation. Do as those saints in 2 Chronicles 20 who sang songs of praise BEFORE the battle, illustrating faith in God.