Coming out of the valley (Psalm 13)

This is said to be a psalm of David to the “Chief Musician” – some scholars say this could be a reference to God Himself; others that it could be to a leader of the musicians, such as Heman (1 Chronicles 6.33). It is a short psalm which starts in discouragement/despair and ends in a place of trust, joy and encouragement.

It is suggested that you read the Psalm and then work through it verse by verse.

How long? A question asked 4 times. Have you ever asked this question of God? Have you ever felt neglected by God? Have you asked this question of God in the past year as we faced the Covid pandemic – and continue to face it?

Do encourage group members to be honest in their response in the confidence that what is said will remain within the group and not shared with anyone else.

 You might like to reflect on Jesus’ prayer from the cross (Mt 27.46)

 Verse 1. What was it that caused the pain in David’s heart?

·         He felt God had forgotten him
·         He felt that God was distancing himself

David faced many great trials in his life, and he faced them bravely but at this point in his life he felt separated from God and this led him to despair. But God had not forgotten David; God had not hidden his face from David – it is just that this is how David FELT. And there is nothing wrong with feelings: “Feelings are a gift from God and a sign that we are made in his image.” The real problem seems to have been that David was trying to solve his problems in his own strength. In such situations, we need to read the instructions, i.e. turn to God’s word (Zech 4.6).

It needs pointing out at this stage that God never forgets his own; that God will help us, and why? Simply because he loves us, despite our many failings.

Verse 2. What was it that made David feel discouraged?

·         He looked inside himself when he should have looked to the Lord

·         David was depressed (a) in his relationship with God; (b) within himself; (c) in regard to his enemies

·         “When we think about problems they seem to intensify; when we pray about our problems we gain a sense of release
and peace.” Do you agree with this. What are some of the factors that might cause us spiritual depression?
·         Temperament
·         Illness which drains our physical strength (long-Covid sufferers?)
·         Exhaustion
·         After-effects of a spiritual “high”
·         Pressure from spiritual and natural “enemies”

Verse 3. Consider and hear. David is using a typical Hebrew method of repetition. He cries out for God to HEAR HIM. Do you think that God ever waits until our prayers are desperate until he hears them? Do we sometimes pray for a situation generally, but have little real interest in that situation or in the outcome of our prayer? (e.g. in one church I am aware of, a different country is ‘prayed’ for each week without any real knowledge of that country or the situation there – “this week we pray for the people of Nigeria”. What are really asking God to do when we pray such a prayer?

“Give light to my eyes” – what a great prayer – seeking God’s wisdom and knowledge in a particular situation (cf Eph 1.17-19).

Verse 4. Here David prays for victory over his enemies. It is worth reflecting who might be his “enemies” at this time.

·         Saul
·         His son, Absalom
·         Foreign kings threatening to attack him

The reality is that we don’t know the circumstances behind this psalm – all we know is that David is greatly troubled.

Verse 5. “I HAVE trusted …” is seen as a good translation here. Is there any significance in David using the past tense?

When you can’t trust anything else, trust in God’s mercy.

Verse 6. David tells his heart to start rejoicing! And what did he rejoice in – God’s wonderful salvation. And how much more should we rejoice, knowing the power of the cross and resurrection. David expressed his joy by singing – how much have you missed singing with other Christians in church in the past year?

David was now able to look back on his life and see God’s goodness. He could now see that God had been “with him” in earlier times – and that completely changed his perspective. Do we ever look back in times of despair and remember God’s goodness in times past and trust him for our present circumstances?

 EXTRAS >>>

Why was it so important for David that he defeated his enemies?

For David, if he lost, then God lost. David saw his enemies as also God’s enemies. For example, when he stood up to the mighty Goliath he did so because he believed that Goliath was not just challenging the Israelite army, but that he was also challenging God.

Do you think there are any lessons for us in a society which has, largely, turned its back on God?

How long? When everything is going well we are not likely to cry out “How long?” – We want the good times to continue. But it is not a sin to express deep grief about situations in life that are frightening or grievous or unpleasant. The Bible has many stories of people who might have called out to God, “How long?” Can you think of any?

For example . . . When Joseph was in prison in Egypt, he told the cupbearer and the baker (both also in prison) the meaning of their dreams (Gen 40). Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him before Pharaoh – but he forgot to do so. As a result it was a further two years before Pharaoh had his own dreams (Gen 41.1). Joseph could well have said to God: How long? Why did God not intervene sooner? Why did it take two years? (Think back what has happened in your life in the past two years).

We know that worrying rarely solves anything – so why do we worry!!

At the end of the psalm, David’s circumstances had not changed at all. So what had changed?

His FOCUS – from himself and his problems to God’s loyal love and salvation.

There is an important lesson to pull out here …

If a Christian who is struggling in his/her life says to you, “I just can’t trust God anymore – look at what is happening in my life” – how might you respond?

PRAYERS >>>

Our prayers should be for God’s glory and not our personal happiness.

Take time to pray for those you know who are struggling with life at the moment; who might be crying out, “How long?”

Take time to pray for those you know who have suffered in any way in the past year. Is anyone you know suffering with long-Covid? Unemployment? Loneliness and depression?

Hopefully it will not be too long before we can be back in church – and able to sing! The challenge for our church leadership team is what should be the pattern of our services post-Covid? Take time to pray for them as they seek God’s guidance for the future. And pray that church members will accept the plans even if they are not the plans they wanted!