Confidence in Crisis

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Psalm 13

When observing Psalms 11, 12, and 13, we learn something about faith. Sometimes faith is cool, calm and collected, sometimes faith is a struggle with God and ourselves and yet other times we feel as if God is not there for us and we wonder if we will ever be able to trust in Him again. It’s important for us to know that none of these Psalms are more important than the other and none of the experiences of faith for David are superior nor inferior.

Have you ever felt like God abandoned you in the time when you needed him the most? Or, have you had the thought that God could care less about your crisis?

If king David whom the Bible says in I Samuel 13:14 “The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart” felt abandoned by God, then how much more can you and I feel the same?

Let us learn how to cry out to God in crisis and demand that He cease to stay hidden behind the veil of heaven!

As we examine this great 13^th Psalm, we should take note of how David responds to deep seated feelings of abandonment by God and how he found confidence in his crisis!

1. The Cry of Abandonment in Crisis: Verses 1-2
   1. A Lengthy Struggle: The phrase “How Long” is repeated on 4 separate occasions. 
   2. A Lack of Blessing: “How long will you hide your face from me?” 
      1. In family (Marriage and Children)
      2. At work
      3. At Church
      4. In Spiritual Life
      5. In Health
   3. A Predisposed Condition: “Dark Thoughts and Uncontrollable Emotions”
   4. A Perpetual Enemy
2. The Call for Help in Crisis: Verses 3-4, The answer to feelings of abandonment is the presence of God!
   1. David’s Prayer has 3 distinct elements:
      1. “Look on me”  
      2. “Answer”
      3. “Give light to my eyes”
   2. God’s Answer: He gives David everything he asks for.
3. The Crescendo of Praise in Crisis: Verses 5-6
   1. When your confidence in God is in crisis cry out to the God who can restore your confidence in the midst of crisis.
   2. Remember we are not Christ-less in Crisis.
   3. Feeling forsaken is not the same thing as being forsaken.
   4. In order to feel abandoned, we must have someone who abandoned us.
   5. The strongest statement in all the New Testament is Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 5 times negated!
   6. The Principal of Patience: “They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’  Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer…” Revelation 6:10-11a. If the perfected saints of God in heaven are asked to be patient how much more should we be patient? 

If you are someone you know are suffering with feelings of abandonment like Psalm 13 describes, then we cannot tell you when those oppressive emotions will lift. But, we can tell you they will be lifted. The dark curtains of despair will arise, and behind the veil you will see your redeemer the precious Lord Jesus Christ who is with you and loved you the entire time!