New: 18 February 2025
Trusting God in
All Circumstances
Psalm 13
How long, O LORD?
Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide
Your face from me?
Psalm 13:1
'How Long? '— The Uncertainty of Time
Asking, 'How long?' can be painful as it comes with the uncertainty of time. We don't know how long the suffering or injustice will continue. We wish we knew, but don't. That's tough, sometimes unbearable. We must learn to trust God in even in such circumstances; we must learn to trust the Almighty in all circumstances—good times, bad times, and waiting times! It can be tough, it can drain us, it can discourage us. But, nevertheless, we must find a way to trust God.
The psalmist prayed to God even though it felt God was ignoring Him or had forgotten about him. But God is not like this, and that was David's hope in difficulties and uncertainties. Would you talk to a person who is ignoring you? I assume you would not. Why should you? What's the point? So why would David pray to the God who appeared to have forgotten him or was ignoring him? No matter how things look or feel, God does not change and we can trust in His immutability. Yes, God can hide His face from us when we sin and do wrong (Isaiah 59:1-2), but He will receive us with open arms when we return to Him in humility. God does reject those who come to Him. He is a good Father—loving, forgiving and patient. David knew He can rely on God to hear him even if it felt He wasn't paying attention.
Trusting God despite the Circumstances
Trust God when things are difficult is not easy, but it is our only option. We need Him. David prayed to God despite feeling ignored to distant from God (Psalm 13:1)—that is trust. It was painful and David had sorrow; even his enemies were exalted over him (v 2). It must have felt like insult to injury. But such painful experiences are simply part of life. We can leaner to trust God anyway! That's where the strength of faith truly lies. Trusting God despite the circumstances shows that you believe in who He is, even off circumstances appears contrary to all good things about God.
Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes,
or I will sleep in death,
and my enemy will say,
"I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
Psalm 13:3 NIV
Looking to God for God to look on us
Trusting God in all circumstances is looking to God when things seem pointless. Trusting prayer is looking to God for God to look on us. David prayed for God to look on him and answer (Psalm 13:3). He asked God to enlighten his eyes—to have clear vision! He didn't want to die in pain and loneliness; he trusted God to hear him and come through for him. David's enemies would've rejoiced over him (v 4), but his trust was in God's mercy (NKJV), lovingkindness (NASB) and unfailing love (NIV), and he know his heart would again rejoice in God's salvation (v 5). God is faithful and trusting Him is worth it, even when things are difficult or tough. He hears us and wants us to trust Him. David would sing praises to God for He is good to us (v 6). Trusting God works, even when it's difficult; praying to God is worth the effort, even when it's painful. Looking to God in trust in all circumstances will make Him look to us and shows us His salvation. Trust Him in all circumstances.