Trusting God When Life is Hard
Scripture — Psalm 13:1-2, 5-6 (NRSV)
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? . . .
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.
Focus
In the season of Lent, we pay particular attention to the struggles and sufferings of mortal life. We might choose to pray in the words of Psalm 13, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” Yet, as we reflect on how God has cared for us in the past, and as we consider God’s character, we can trust in God’s steadfast love even when life is hard.
This devotion is part of the Psalms for Lenten Devotion series.
Devotion
There are times when it’s fairly easy to trust in God’s love, to rejoice in divine salvation, and to sing because God has been good to us. I think of times in my life when I was overwhelmed by God’s blessings, when I could hardly believe how good my life was. My heart was filled with thanks and praise. It was easy to trust the Lord then.
Yet, there are other times, aren’t there? Times when life is hard, when sorrow fills our hearts, when we wonder if God is even there for us. In times of suffering and struggle, can we still trust in God’s love? Can we rejoice? Can we sing with gladness to the Lord?
Psalm 13 answers these questions in the affirmative. If you only read verses 5-6, you might think that David, the composer of this psalm, was experiencing one of those seasons of obvious blessing. Yet there’s that telltale word . . . “But.” It suggests a contrast between the trusting worship of verses 5-6 and the earlier portion of the psalm. Indeed, when we look back, we see that David is feeling forgotten by God (13:1). He is struggling with anguish and sorrow every day (13:2). He is watching his enemies prevail over him and he’s wondering how long this will go on (13:2-4).
But, amid his desperation, David pauses to confess his trust and joy in God. But he sings to celebrate God’s goodness in the midst of his suffering. How is this possible? First, David thinks back to times when God rescued him (13:5). He remembers that God has been good to him (13:6). These memories give David the confidence to believe that God will rescue him again, even if it’s hard to see in the moment how and when this will happen.
Second, David remembers what is true about God, that which is true regardless of David’s current experience. God has been revealed as a God of “steadfast love” (13:5). At times, it’s hard for us to understand the ways God expresses love for us. Yet, the fact of God’s love is the bedrock for our faith, indeed, for our very existence. God’s love, revealed most clearly in the cross of Christ, sustains and encourages us. It enables us to trust the Lord and even to rejoice during hard times.
In the season of Lent, we pay particular attention to the struggles and sufferings of mortal life. We might choose to pray in the words of Psalm 13, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” Yet, as we reflect on how God has cared for us in the past, and as we consider God’s character, we can trust in God’s steadfast love even when life is hard.
Let me add one further thought before I close. Even if our lives are going well these days, we can utter deep cries of intercession for others. For example, I have mentioned before that my home, though perilously close to the Eaton Fire, was not hurt by the flames. Yet I have many friends who lost, not only their homes, but also everything contained within. As I think of them and pray, I can say on behalf of my friends, “How long must they bear pain in their souls and have sorrow in their hearts?” I ask in prayer that they will have the grace to trust in God’s unfailing love for them even in difficult times.
Reflect
Have you ever found yourself like David, struggling with difficult and painful things in life, yet able to trust God and to rejoice in him? If so, what helped you to have such faith and joy? If not, what does this suggest to you?
What helps you to trust God even when your circumstances are negative?
Act
If you’re going through a hard time right now, ask the Lord for the grace to trust. And if you’re in a good place, pray for others you know who need to trust God despite their circumstances.
Pray
Gracious God, thank you for David’s honesty in this prayer. There are times when it does seem that you have forgotten me, times when it feels as if you are looking the other way. I’m grateful for David’s example of honesty with you. It helps me to speak truthfully with you, rather than to put on a show of false religiosity.
Thank you for David’s example of trusting and rejoicing even amid his struggle. Thank you for the times you have enabled me to have confidence in you though I was going through difficulties. Help me, I pray, to trust you no matter what, to rejoice in your goodness at all times. May I remember how you have blessed me in the past. And may my faith in you be built on the bedrock of your revelation in Jesus Christ.
Today, Lord, I pray especially for those who are struggling to believe, who wonder if you have turned away from them. Help them to have confidence in you. Reach out to them in your mercy. Lift them up by your grace. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: How Long Will God Forget Me?.
Mark D. Roberts
Senior Strategist
Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a Senior Strategist for Fuller’s Max De Pree Center for Leadership, where he focuses on the spiritual development and thriving of leaders. He is the principal writer of the daily devotional, Life for Leaders,...