Lord, how long?
Psalm 13: 1-6
Walter Brueggeman, Professor of Old Testament at the Columbia Theological Seminary in USA, classifies some Psalms as describing the Psalmist’s state of orientation, disorientation or reorientation. Many, likes the Psalm we read today, contain more than one class. David freely expressed his serious state of disorientation to God. He was in a challenging situation which had tried his patience to the limit. He felt forsaken by God.
Sometimes, we feel the same way as if the Lord has deserted us. Instead of crying out to God, we withdraw into ourselves and wrestle with our thoughts. This leads us nowhere. The common result is as indicated in verse 2b which says; ‘‘How long will my enemy triumph’’. This will rather increase our burden. David, however, did not prolong the state of disorientation. He reminded himself of God’s character. God has bound himself to his people with a covenant of love. Even though the problem has not resolved, notice the effect this change of direction had on David in verse 5 and 6 which says; ‘‘But I trust in your unfailing love, my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me’’.
Once we can move from the point of questions to the point of trust in God, we would look back and see that God has been good. In this psalm, we see a man whose faith was tested. My own faith in God has been tested in several ways. I will share one of these tests of faith that occurred in my ministry while in Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion. During the years I served in one of the dioceses, the bishop will often do a transfer every four years and you cannot say NO once you are transferred. So, anywhere he sends you, you must go. Whenever it is the fourth year of my stay in any church I would always pray not to go to any village church, because I prefer churches in the city. In village Churches there were no good road, no electricity and no good water.
One faithful day a letter of transfer came to me from the Bishop to go to one of the churches in the village. I was down in my spirit immediately I saw the letter. I felt like God has not answered my prayers. I have been in many village churches and I felt I deserved a break. I felt am going to be abandoned and rejected just like David in psalm 13.
To make matters worse, on getting to the church I met only few people as the member of the church and there was no place of worship like a proper church building. They were worshipping in an open place both in the rain and sunshine. I was more confused and frustrated on what to do. How do I overcome these challenges? I went on my knees and prayed and said God if you are the one that brought me here please show me the way. I can only trust you and I believe I will see your salvation.
After the prayers, I started working by faith and not by sight. I start visiting the members of that community and getting to know them and inviting them to come to church. Miraculously, the Church grew both spiritually and in numbers. Also, together the church building was completed. What really helped me in that darkest time was putting my faith in God. When I look back, I am so glad I went to God in prayers for directions instead of being angry with God for not answering my prayers. Now I can rejoice and give testimony from a situation that looked hopeless initially. If we would learn to cast our burdens on Jesus, knowing that He cares for us, our state of disorientation and heartaches will change to rejoicing. Shalom.