Psalm 13 is written by David and the psalm has a mixed feeling. It begins with discouragement and despair, but the psalmist finishes the psalm by finding joy and encouragement in the LORD.

Devotional Portion: Psalm 13:1

How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?

“How long” must be a question that everyone, not only the children of God, but even the people of the world have asked or sighed when they are going through unexpected situations. The psalmist felt as if God has deserted him, and had hidden His face.  There is disappointment in waiting for this question, there is the great anguish of heart in this prayer, and there is a deep desire for deliverance. This question arises when we feel tired of enduring the moulding process through which God is letting us go. We become weary as we feel like it is prolonged. Or it could come as a prayer when the same enemy attacks us frequently.

Will You forget me forever?

Being ignored by someone close to us causes great pain in the heart. David, the man after God’s heart felt so for some reason. The circumstance is unknown. But, this is one of the foolish questions that a man could raise to God. Can omniscient God forget us? “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15. We forget the everlasting promises of God when we go through situations. We measure sovereignty and compassion with the measuring scale of our circumstances instead of clinging to the promises of the LORD. “Can God forget forever?” We see a strong decline of faith in David’s life. “Oh, dark thought! It was surely bad enough to suspect a temporary forgetfulness, but shall we ask the ungracious question, and imagine that the Lord will forever cast away his people?” Charles Spurgeon. 

How long will You hide Your face from me?

“A hidden face is no sign of a forgetful heart. It is in love that his face is turned away; yet to a real child of God, this hiding of his Father’s face is terrible and he will never be at ease until, once more he hath his Father’s smile.” Charles Spurgeon. 

Reflection: Is it us running from God or are our sins a hindrance for us to seek His face?