In my devotions I read Psalm 13. This is a Psalm I seldom look at and every time I go back to it, I wonder why I don’t read it more often. There is an anguish in David as he cries out to God wondering if God or anyone else is listening.


Psalm 13 – A David psalm


Long enough, God— you’ve ignored me long enough.

I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough.

Long enough, I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain.

Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me.

Take a good look at me, God, my God; I want to look life in the eye,

So no enemy can get the best of me or laugh when I fall on my face.

I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms— I’m celebrating your rescue.

I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers.


Here is what pictured as I read.

 

Long enough… You’ve ignored me…

I’ve looked at the back of your head.

I’ve carried a ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain.

My arrogant enemies look down their noses at me.


Then, something changes in the mind of the psalmist: Take a good look at me God.

I want to look life in the eye.

 

So, what does the Psalmist do? I throw myself headlong into your arms.

I’m singing at the top of my lungs.

 

Then… “I’m so full of answered prayers.”

——-

 

1. The psalmist cries out to God. Why are you ignoring me?

2. Something happens where the Psalmist decides to do something about it.

3. I throw myself headlong into your arms. I’m singing.

4. Answered Prayers.


Would you like an example?

 

In “Amazing Grace” by Kenneth Osbeck writes about William O. Cushing, a pastor of several large churches who is struck down by an illness to his throat that takes away his ability to preach. In the midst of his crisis, William Cushing makes changes in his life.


1. Why are you ignoring me? Cushing must have been devastated as he cried out to God for help.

2. Cushing decides to do something: Broken in spirit, William Cushing began writing hymns.

3. I throw myself headlong into your arms. Cushing wrote well over 300 hymns which ended up having a much wider influence than all his years of successful pastoring.

4. Answered prayers.


One of his hymns, I think says a lot about the meaning of Psalm 13. Where is God when you feel ignored?

 

Verse 1: “Under his wings, I am safely abiding,

tho the night deepens and the tempests are wild;

still I can trust Him – I know He will keep me;

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.”


Chorus: Under His wings, under His wings,

who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

safely abide forever.


Are you feeling ignored… abandoned at times?

Maybe it is time for a transition.

Throw yourself headlong into God’s arms.

And trust that your prayers are being answered.

 

Like William O. Cushing you will find yourself safely, “Under God’s wings.”