Have there ever been times in our life when we have found ourselves wondering, 

 

‘How long, O Lord?’ 

 

-  *How long* will these struggles last? *How long* will we have these financial difficulties? *How long* will these health issues persist? *How long* will the difficulties in this relationship last? *How long* will I struggle with this addiction? *How long* will these intense temptations last? *How long* will it take me to get over this loss?

 

Four times in quick succession David cries out in Ps 13:1-6       ‘How long…?’ (vv.1–2).

 

There are periods when it appears that God has *forgotten us* (v.1a). It seems that he has *hidden his face* (v.1b). For some inexplicable reason, we don’t sense his presence with us. Every day seems to be a struggle – *wrestling with our thoughts* (v.2a). Every day brings *sorrow* (v.2b). We seem to be losing the battle and the enemy seems to be *triumphing over us* (v.2c).

 

How should we respond in times like these?

 

*Psalm 13:1-6*

 

David’s example suggests four things that you should continue to do during difficult times:

 

*1. Keep going, don’t stop!  *   (Recall song by gospel singer - Ron Kenoly)

 

*2. Keep praying -* David continues to cry out to God, ‘Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes’ (v.3). He pours out his heart to God. Don’t give up praying even when God seems far away.

 

*3. Keep trusting - *‘But I trust in your unfailing love’ (v.5a). ‘I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms’ (v.5a, MSG).    

 

It is relatively easy to have faith when things are going well, but the test of faith is when things do not appear to be going well.

 

*4. Keep rejoicing - *He does not rejoice in the trials, but in God’s salvation.      He says, ‘my heart rejoices in your salvation’ (v.5b).    ‘I’m celebrating your rescue’ (v.5b, MSG).

 

*5. Keep worshipping* - Despite everything he has been through, David is able to see the goodness of God: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me’ (v.6).  He remembers all that God has done for him.

 

*Note :*   As we begin to praise and worship God,  it brings perspective to our problems. 

 

Sometimes, I find it helpful to look back on my life and thank the Lord for bringing me through so many of my own personal struggles, disappointments and bereavements, and to remember how, through it all, ‘he has been good to me’ (v.6).

 

Lord, I worship you today. Thank you for your goodness to me. 

 

For all the battles ahead, I trust in your unfailing love.

 

*Keep following Jesus - Matthew 15:10-39*

 

Delay does not negate the promises of God. God does not always change our situations immediately. Sickness and suffering will not finally be eradicated until Jesus returns. 

 

These stories, and our experiences of miracles and healings, are a foretaste of what will happen then.

Keep renewing your mind.

 

Jesus says that our problem is not about superficial things, such as what we eat (v.11). 

Food goes in and out of your body (v.17). The things that harm us come from inside – ‘what comes out of the mouth gets its start in the heart’ (v.17 MSG). The real issue is sin in the heart: ‘For out of the heart come evil thoughts – murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make us “unclean”’ (vv.19–20a).

 

*Keep praying for healing.*

 

There are few things more painful than seeing  our own children suffering. The Canaanite woman’s daughter was ‘suffering terribly’ (v.22). Jesus saw that she had ‘great faith’ and he healed her daughter (v.28). 

He went on to heal ‘the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others’ (v.30).

 

Keep acting on behalf of the hungry

Jesus is able to do a lot with a very little. With the small amount of food given to him, he feeds the crowds. 

If  we give him our life and resources, however small they may seem to  us, He is able to multiply them and use them greatly.

 

Lord, give me your compassion for suffering people. Come, Holy Spirit.

 

Genesis 43:1-44:34

 

*Keep hoping*

 

Jacob could have cried out, like David: ‘How long, O Lord?’ (Psalm 13:1a). His sufferings seemed to go on and on. He had been grieving for his lost son for over twenty years. Now there was a severe famine (Genesis 43:1) and he faced the prospect of losing his much-loved Benjamin. He asked, ‘Why did you bring this trouble on me...?’ (v.6). 

He says, almost in resignation, ‘As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved’ (v.14).

 

Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to save me. 

 

In the difficult times, when I am crying out, ‘How long, O Lord?’, help me to keep going, following Jesus, praying, trusting, rejoicing, worshipping and putting my hope in you.

 

Eventually, Jacob simply had to trust God and let go of his son Benjamin. When he did so, things worked out. 

 

Very often it is not until we let go and commit a situation into the Lord’s hands – perhaps fearing the worst – that God works it all out.

Jacob had to send his ‘only’ (‘he is the only one left’, Genesis 42:38) son Benjamin to save the whole family. 

 

As we read this through the eyes of the New Testament we are reminded that God sent his only Son, Jesus, to save us.