Psalm 13 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 13 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
Verse 2How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Verse 3Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
Verse 4and my enemy will say, "I have prevailed"; my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
Verse 5But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
Verse 6I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Devotion
How long will you hide your face from me [O Lord]? the psalmist asks. Hester panim, Hebrew for "hiding the face," has a long history in biblical tradition. There is something really honest about admitting that God’s face, God's presence, seems often concealed or hidden from us. In so many ways the blessing and goodness of God is apparent: in nature, health, good relationships, in life itself. Yet, nothing around us is marked with a big "G," nor is God's presence always so obvious. Built into the life we're given is enough mystery and wonder that something called faith seems to be needed. In good times, it's easy to thank divine goodness. In times of trouble, it can appear that God's face is hiding. We must wait until face to face with God to ask why—exactly—such mystery and wonder was sometimes obvious and at other times quite hidden. Until then, "How long?" seems an honest and appropriate question we ask of God.
Prayer
Help us, O God, to remember your steadfast love, your salvation, in times of sorrow as well as in times of bountiful goodness. Your face may be hidden, yet your presence is ever with us. Especially when my soul is in pain and my heart is filled with sorrow do I need to trust your presence, even if hidden. Amen.