A Sigh and a Song

“ 1 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

I love the book of Psalms. I have read it over and over again. It is always an encouragement to me. There is so much packed in that book of short chapters. One time I went through each chapter and underlined or highlighted the beginning of the chapter which was many times David lamenting and crying out to God about what was going on in his life. But I love how by the end of the chapter, he is rejoicing and praising God even in his difficult and hard times. I highlighted those last verses as well. If you can, sometime you should do the same. It will amaze you and encourage you how uplifting reading and highlighting those verses will be in your own life and situations. It brings this verse to mind.

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort

them who are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted of God."

2 Corinthians 1:4

How many times do we go through situations and trials thinking that there is no end to our pain and suffering? That things will never change. The book of Psalms is so encouraging when we see how David starts out in so much sorrow and pain but by the end of the chapter his attitude changes and he is rejoicing and praising the Lord. Does that mean that God fixed all of his problems, and everything is great, and problems resolved? No! If

you read carefully, you will see that David still has threats on his life and many other issues that still plague him. So, what does that mean? It means that no matter what is going on in your life and whatever circumstance you are in, that we should still praise Him.

"I will bless the LORD at all times:

his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Psalm 34:1

Is that easy? I will be the first to tell you that it is not. But as we mature in our spiritual journey, we learn that we need to depend on the Lord and trust in His will for our lives. That’s not always what we want to hear or experience but as I have said before, that is what grows our “trust  muscles” and makes us stronger followers of Christ.

“Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Are you going through a trial right now? Do you feel like there is no hope? No end? No solution? That you or things will never be “normal” again? We all go through these times in our lives and if we look at the physical and hard circumstances that we face, it is easy to take our eyes off the Lord and dwell on our own pain. But don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of your situation, set your eyes on the Lord. Praise even when you don’t feel like it. Sing praise songs and it will amaze you that after a while you will be singing with your heart being refreshed and strengthened. Remember that God is working this out for your good even if we can’t see it. Trust in Him!

“ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love

God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

“… And all my life You have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.”

© 2018 Bethel Music Publishing