It is no secret at this point in time. I’ve been spending a great deal of time in the Psalms lately and it has been amazingly refreshing for me. Often times I find myself agreeing with the psalmist and saying to myself, “That’s exactly how I feel right now.” I feel like there is so much flesh on the Psalms. What I mean is, there is feeling and emotion attached to it in ways that most people can relate to. I can relate to some of the highs and to some of the lows that we find scattered throughout this book.
Yesterday I was reading Psalm 13. As I read through the verses I started to feel badly for myself. I read verse one and two and I shook my head in agreement with David.
How long, oh 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 all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
I was beginning to feel really sorry for myself and I let myself wonder how much longer? Then there was a turn in my heart and mind. I don’t think that God has forgotten me, I don’t think that God isn’t speaking to me, I just want more. So, instead of doing anything about it I whine. I whine and say God where are you? How much longer until you __________________. (Fill in the blank for your own life)
So then I reread the Psalm and I wondered what it would look like if God sent back a direct message in response to Psalm 13. Here is what I think a possible response could look like: (Insert your name where appropriate)
1. How long, O Peter? Will you forget me forever? How long will you turn and hide your face from me? How long will you try and live life dependent on yourself?
2. How long shall we grieve over you having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will you allow our enemy to recieve victory in your life?
3. Remember me, turn to me, Peter, My child; Open your eyes, don’t you see that you too will die?
4. Our enemy would love to say, “I have him whooped! Look at him now!” All those loyal to our enemy would love to shout for joy when your focus on me is impaired.
5. Trust! Trust in my lovingkindness; Remember, I saved you. Delight in that!
6. Remember; I have worked in your life faithfully to this point. Haven’t I? I’m going to keep doing that. Let the rythm of my faithfulness stir up a song in your heart. Belt it out. Sing that. May it stir up inside of you.
Some of us need to stop whining about not seeing God in our lives and start seeking Him with all that we’ve got.
“But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29
Let’s do this together; let’s search after Him will all our heart and with all our soul! What are some practical ways that you have found helpful as you search after God?
~Peter