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

          David wrote Psalm Thirteen in a time when he was having many troubles. He struggled with difficulties yet he had strong faith in God to help. He wrote as a man asking God How long it would be before He did something to help him. In this brief prayer David asked the Lord four times "how long" it would be. He asked, "How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?" This Psalm described what David was feeling in his heart. David felt that he had been forgotten by the Lord. Possibly we find ourselves experiencing the same emotions at times. We may feel overwhelmed and forsaken because of enemies or circumstances in life.

          David did the right thing and prayed to God about the terrible feelings that were in his heart. He felt that he might die if God did not help him. We remember many times in David's life that these feelings could have surfaced. He prayed, "Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death." (Psalms 13:3) David did not want to be overcome by his enemies. Even in those moments of despair David had faith. He lifted his voice to God saying, "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." David struggled but he waited on the Lord for deliverance.

          David's despair is expressed -- Psalm 13:1-2: Four times David asked the Lord, "How long” it would be before deliverance would come. In a moment David's despair would be turned into thankfulness. His words change from "How long" to "I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." It is very difficult to wait on the Lord in times of trouble. David is despondent but his despondency is turned to a song of praise. As we wait on the Lord let us learn that God's timing is much better than ours. David did not believe that God had forsaken him but his feelings were so sorrowful that is how he was feeling. There were several causes for David's despondency. First, his troubles had gone on for a long time. Second, he had prayed often about them and yet as to this time there had been no divine help. Third, his enemies seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. Fourth, fear had now filled his heart. Our life may often be like the circumstances that David found himself in. Paul wrote, “For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears." (2 Corinthians 7:5)  Peter wrote, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." (1 Peter 4:12) When you are hurting pray unto God!

          David's prayer is offered -- Psalm 13:3-4: David's prayer to God was simple and to the point. He prayed, "Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved." (Psalms 13:3-4) David does not want to be forgotten by God so he again makes His request know. He does so with much reverence and respect for Jehovah, addressing his as, "O LORD my God." In those moments of deep anguish of heart and darkness of soul let us remember that we, as God's children, are the objects of His love and pity. Let us always turn our cries of pain into a call for the help of God. God shows mercy in our times of desperate need.

          David's Faith is restored -- Psalm 13:5-6: David prayed and God answered his prayer. He said to God, "But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me." (Psalms 13:5-6) God answered David's prayer and renewed his faith. David remembered God's unfailing love in the past and this lead to a positive look at the present and at the future. God had dealt bountifully with David before and he had confidence that He would do the same now. David's prayer led him back to complete trust in God. David remembered why he had trusted in God. His trust in God was because of the salvation He offered. In David's case there were still storms without but there was peace within.