From Sorrow to Singing
Monday, August 21, 2023
“God is the only one who can reconcile life's contradictions.” – Os Hillman
There are times when my head won’t stop spinning… and it has nothing to do with my vertigo!
For instance, why do people who reject God seemingly prosper? Or why do Christians who “play it safe” by adopting – or at least not objecting to – the world’s standards appear to be blessed anyway? For that matter, why do some of the most dedicated believers contract deadly diseases and die young, experience betrayal at the hands of supposedly close friends, or struggle to make ends meet while less committed Christians escape some of those trials?
If any of the aforementioned concerns sound familiar, you are in good company because David wondered about some of these very same things. Psalm 13 is often referred to as “David’s darkest hour.” He begins the psalm with five rather pointed questions: “How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?”
After asking his questions and listing his complaints, David changes direction in the third verse by appealing directly to God in prayer. Knowing that God loves him and hears his petitions seems to comfort the Shepherd King because the last two verses are uplifting and encouraging: “But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” Drawing on God’s past deliverance and blessings – as well as His innate goodness and love – allows David to finish his psalm on a spiritual and emotional high note.
My friend, I don’t know what you are dealing with today, but God does. And because of that simple but very profound fact, you can rest assured that He stands both ready and able to meet you at your point of greatest need in the midst of your darkest hour.
Try following David’s pattern of pleading with and petitioning God… and then praising Him for what he has already done and is about to do on your behalf. Only God can – and will – turn your sorrow into singing.
“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
