PREPARE

Psalm 13 opens with the heart cry of the oppressed; How Long?

This is an ache you may know well, either from personal suffering or from your love of another who is suffering. This world is not as it is supposed to be.

The cry of lament is a faithful practice of taking our pain, our complaints, and our sorrows to the Lord, trusting that He will not turn away from us. If we struggle to find words, there are at least 50 Psalms we can turn to. As we do, we will find that the psalmist pours out his anguish to the Lord, but does not stay there. Often the psalms of Lament end with reminders of God’s character, His faithfulness, salvation, and unfailing love. This pattern is instructive – showing us the way through our grief, not by pretending and stuffing it down, nor by sitting in it as though it is the only true thing. Rather, by pouring out our raw and honest emotions to the One who comforts as no one else can and then reminding ourselves of His love that knows no bounds—we are helped.

Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Psalm 13 and using the questions below.

1. Think of a difficult season in your life. How did God bring you through it? Hardship can seem to deepen or damage a person’s faith in God. What is the reason for the different outcome? How can hardship be a beneficial for followers of Jesus?
2. Read all of Psalm 13. What do you notice about this Psalm? What feelings did David communicate in this Psalm? Have you ever felt this way? How is this Psalm of lament different than the Psalms we have covered previously?
3. Read Psalm 13:1-2. What did David express in these verses? What was he feeling in his heart? Did God forget about David? Can God forget about His people? (See Isaiah 49:14-16)
4. Why does God allow suffering? (See James 1:2-4 and Romans 5:3-5)
5. Read Psalm 13:3-4. What was David’s request to God? What did David say would be the result if God delayed in delivering him? Why would it have been significant for David’s enemies to rejoice at David’s defeat?
6. Read Psalm 13:5-6. This is a major transition in David’s prayer. What does it mean to trust in God? How can we be sure of God’s unfailing love when we are walking through hardships in life?
7. What did David rejoice in? How is God’s salvation a source of strength and praise during hardship? How was God good to David? What circumstances did God bring David through?

ATTEND

Verses: Psalm 13

Main Point: When life get hard, our trust in God beomes more vital.

1. The Problem: (Ps 13:1-2)

2. The Petition: (Ps 13:3-4)

3. The Praise: (Ps 13:5-6)

REFLECT

ACT