Because He is eternal, God does not have the same perception of time as humanity does. One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2nd Peter 3:8); therefore, there were occasions which arose in David’s life in which he felt like he was hanging on to God by his fingernails and even they were beginning to cramp. Spiritual desperation was on the verge of kicking down the door of his heart. “How long?” pounded in his head like a vicious, relentless spiritual migraine. “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?” (Psalm 13:1-2). What can one do during such unpleasant times?
Do what David did.
First, he prayed unpretentiously. “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him’; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved” (Psalm 13:3-4). No fancy words; just raw, unfiltered expression of his heartfelt fears, needs, and anxieties. He cast all of his care upon the broad shoulders of Him who ever cares. He prayed fervently.
Then, he reaffirmed his commitment to trust God and His mercy. “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” (Psalm 13:5-6). Jehovah’s vast and bountiful mercy in the past coupled to the fact of His unchanging nature renewed David’s determination to trust and praise the Lord as the future came in daily doses.
David transformed his “How long?” into “Hold on!” You can too.
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).
