Thanksgiving Scripture - Nov 19

Introduction...

Psalm 13:1-6 from Grief and Desperation to Sing with Faith
（Memorization Scripture: vv. 5-6）
1 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?
How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes,
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;
4 Lest my enemy say,
“I have prevailed against him”;
Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.



The psalmist David uses four "How long"s to express to God his suffering, injustice and hopelessness. In the difficult situation he couldn’t see any hope but only felt forgotten by God and so he questions God, “How long will You hide Your face from me?” Yet, David doesn’t stay downcast after sharing his distress but asks, “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God.” David knows that the only way to turn from suffering and hopelessness o singing of the Lord’s great love is by seeing reality through spiritual eyes. This is indeed a precious reminder for us that following the Lord is not by feeling but by faith. The enemy often uses suffering and negative feelings to blind the children of God, so that in difficulties we only look down instead of looking up to the Lord who is always with us! May the Lord open up our hearts in times of doubt to look upon God in trust and thanksgiving, for He has dealt bountifully with us. (JZ)