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Simple and Effective
Posted By Lundie
Have you ever had those days, or even weeks, when it feels like everything is a spiritual struggle? Yeah? Me too. I’m smack in the middle of one right now. Struggling to connect, struggling to understand, struggling to do much more than take the small step in front of me.
I sat down to write the devotional tonight and opened up Bible Gateway. After browsing through Psalms for a little bit, I found a little Psalm that I can’t say I have known very well. As I read it, the simplicity of its godly example struck me. Hard.
As I read it over and over, I don’t think it could be more perfect in the way it demonstrates what and how I need to pray today.
PSALM 13
- Despair and Confusion
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? - The Plea
3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall. - Trust and Hope
5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.
I take so much comfort in that even David, the man after God’s own heart, had times when he felt forgotten by God. He felt overwhelmed, defeated, and struggled with those feelings.
But even in his despair, he knew where to go. He knew the resolution was entirely in God’s hands. And I just love that he was aware of how deadened this distress and depression was making him as a person. “Restore the sparkle to my eyes.” Just love it.
And then he ends his cry to God with hope and faith. At first I thought it was an immediate thanks because God had instantaneously answered his prayer, but then I read it again more carefully. First he tells God he trusts him, and lets God know he is confident in his rescue – so much that he’s got some rejoicing planned.
And then, it seems to me that he’s reminding himself that God is truly good – sort of in “positive self-talk”. God IS good to me….He has NOT forgotten me…Help IS on the way.
How are you doing? Will you celebrate hope with me today? “I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me”.
Blessings.
May 21st, 2007
Great devotional; I definitely feel like I’m all alone some days when there are people all around me. Sometimes the situations I find myself in are just more than I can do and it’s then that I admittedly reluctantly hand it over to Him. There’s just something freeing about that knowledge; I don’t know why I struggle to hang onto it by myself! Thanks for an uplifting message. ~Stacey
What a wonderful devotional! I need my “sparkle” restored !
~Tish
Lundie, I really liked this post. I agree with your summary about the Psalm. He knows that God has already saved him, so he is still thankful.
So true. I love David’s honesty and authenticity. I also love reading the Psalms and watching how his emotions go up and down…he’s rejoicing, then discouraged, elated then depressed. So real. So authentic. Sounds so much like me.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
I needed to read this today. I have been struggling for a couple weeks and it is nice to know that God is on his way and he will help me and restore my sparkle
I am rejoicing with you!!
What a great post! It does bring comfort to know that a great man of faith also struggled with the same types of feelings we go through today! May I keep my confidence in God and let Him restore my sparkle in the hard times.