Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.
Romans 4:18
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Devotion
In the last part of this Psalm, David expresses his faith in God. First, David laments by hurling at God. Then he tells God specifically what he needs. And he ends his lament by expressing his faith in God’s unfailing love for him. David’s troubles still look the same, but he has now turned his heart Godward. His perspective has changed even though his circumstances have not changed. David’s healthy lament has allowed him to see things through God’s eyes instead of his own. In his first Faith Over Fear message, Bob said, “When your view of God shrinks, your fear grows. When your view of God grows, your fear shrinks.”
In Romans 4:18, we see that “against all hope, Abraham in hope believed God.” In a healthy lament, we see that hope despairs, and then despair begins to hope when one trusts in the unfailing love of God.
Questions to Ponder:
In light of all that is going on in our world today, what is the object of your hope or trust? Are you trusting in the wisdom of man? Are you trusting in the size of your bank account? Are you trusting in the government? Are you trusting in your own abilities and resources? As you lament the current crisis, are you able to move from feelings to facts and from facts to faith?
Prayer Points
Write out your own Prayer of Lament.
- Address God
- State your feelings before the LORD – “hurl at Him”
- Tell Him the facts. Tell Him what You need and be specific.
- Then look at the situation through eyes of faith or from Heaven’s viewpoint. Say something like, “Lord enable me to see things the way You do.”
Suggested Prayer
God, thank You for teaching me more about Yourself and how to talk to and with You. Thank You for Your Word and thank You for leading me into truth and showing me it’s okay to be honest before You, as well as sharing with You what it is that I am asking or desiring. Thank You that You listen. Thank You for meeting me right when I call You. Thank You for loving me and answering me when I call upon You. Thank You for being a faithful Father and thank You for loving me so well. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.