How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I bear pain in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Reflection:
In times of terror, uncertainty, and all kinds of disgusting things happening around us—both far and near—we often sigh a deep breath of hopelessness. We feel crushed and ready to give up. But in this lament of Psalm 13, the psalmist does not end with negativity or dereliction. The psalm begins with laments but ends with God's faithfulness. It is faith.
In the midst of chaos and merciless changes in our world, both within and outside, we acknowledge who God is. We acknowledge how feeble we are, how much love we need, and how much connection we need. We accept who we are, we love who we are, and we move forward—trusting God and believing in ourselves. That is faith.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your presence, even when we don't feel it strongly. We trust you because you listen to us. Help us pour out our hearts in all matters. Guide us through good times and bad, trusting in you and believing in ourselves, for you provide us with strength. Help us in our weaknesses and in our unwavering work; instill in us the spirit of truth and courage so that we may stand strong in all we do. In Christ's name, Amen.