“How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.” —Psalm 13:1-6

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I.

Reveal Answer

Response.

Psalm 13:1-2 – “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? Forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”

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II.

Reveal Answer

Response.

Psalm 13:1-4 – “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”

A. David tells God

Reveal Answer

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B. David tells God

Reveal Answer

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C. David tells God

Reveal Answer

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D. David

Reveal Answer

.

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III.

Reveal Answer

Response.

Psalm 13:5-6 – “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”

A. I feel

Reveal Answer

But I will

Reveal Answer

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B. I feel

Reveal Answer

But I will

Reveal Answer

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C. I feel

Reveal Answer

But I will

Reveal Answer

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Habakkuk 3:17-18 – “17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no food; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

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Take-home questions for Small Group and Family Devotions.

1. Can you recall a time when you felt like David, asking “How long?” in the midst of a challenging situation?

2. Why do you think it’s important for believers to be honest and transparent with God about their emotions?

3. Discuss the significance of the word “but” in Psalm 13:5 and how it changes the tone of David’s lament.