Always Worthy of Praise
Psalm 13
Introduction.
What happens when bad things happen to us?
We could go one of two ways.
We could either have our faith strengthened or we could lose our faith.
People are often baffled at the problem of suffering: How could there be a loving, omnipotent God if suffering exists?
But David, and many people in the Bible, were no strangers to suffering.
When we suffer, let us consider Psalm 13.
Psalm 13 is known as a psalm of lament.
These are typically written by David in times of distress.
There is much we can learn from these kinds of psalms.
Breakdown.
vs. 1-2 – David’s Protest.
vs. 3-4 – David’s Prayer.
vs. 5-6 – David’s Plan.
Body.
David’s Protest (vs. 1-2).
Have you ever felt this way before?
When we are suffering, in pain, in anguish, does it not feel like the Lord has left us?
It might feel like the suffering will never end.
You might have extreme physical pain and sickness.
You might have mental and emotional anguish.
You might have had a close loved one suffer and/or pass away.
Why Lord, why?!
We have all been there at some point or another.
David’s Prayer (vs. 3-4).
Then David prays—we have every right to pray that our suffering be lifted.
He prays to be heard, and to have his eyes enlightened.
You’re familiar with the phrase, “Lighten up!” – that’s what David is asking for.
He wants the Lord to bring some light into his life, to help him see the light at the end of the tunnel that is surrounding him, suffocating him.
He fears his life is in danger—knowing David’s life, there are several times this was absolutely true.
Perhaps we’ve never felt our life threatened by others, but that doesn’t make our suffering any less real.
Help Lord, help!
David’s Plan (vs. 5-6).
This psalm offers no hint at a resolution to David’s suffering.
He did not know the outcome, just we do not know the outcome of our suffering.
Regardless, David did three things: trusted, rejoiced, sang.
So when we are suffering in pain and in anguish, let us pray, trust, rejoice, and sing.
He trusted in the Lord’s mercy, knowing that He knew what was best. Let us put our faith and our trust in Him. He loves us, and if it’s our time to meet Him face to face, then it is our time.
He rejoiced in His salvation. He was happy concerning his spiritual blessings, in mercy and salvation. Let us also “rejoice always” (1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 4:4).
Let us sing! Does singing make your happy? That’s what it’s designed to do! The Lord gave us music to help us in tough times, and there’s a reason it’s part of our worship (James 5:13).
He sings because the Lord has dealt bountifully—he has not forgotten the blessings the Lord has given to him, despite the current hardship. Has the Lord ever blessed you? Sing praises to Him!
Trust Lord, trust!
Conclusion.
Maybe this psalm doesn’t answer the question why we suffer, but it does help us to know what our response should be.
When we’re in trouble, God is always worthy of praise.
Let us dig deeper in prayer, trusting in Him, rejoicing in our spiritual blessings, and singing because we’ve been blessed!
You can’t do these things if you’re not one of His children.
You can only trust in His mercy if you have access to it.
You can only truly rejoice in His salvation if you’re saved.
So trust in Him and obey the gospel today so that when you fall on hard times, He will hear you.
Then your heart can truly rejoice and sing!