Discover His heart: He answers our prayers based on His eternal clock
It’s disheartening to me to be around someone who is upset about something, possibly with me, but not willing to express what it is – commonly known as the silent treatment. Yes, those who easily express their feelings can be annoying at times, but at least we know what problem exists and we can offer a response. Communication is good, especially when it comes from a heart that does not want to hurt and is seeking a resolve.
I don’t imagine that God ever found it necessary to say to David, “Well, David, why don’t you tell me how you really feel.” Psalms offers many of David’s laments to God that were expressions of sadness, sorrow or disappointment when he faced betrayal and hatred from his enemies. What I like about David’s laments is that, just like a good movie, they always seem to end well.
@ Psalm 13
“O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?” (1-2) How long? I think we have a theme going here, and I’ve certainly sung this song. At times I am convinced that heaven’s clock needs a new battery. David asks, “Forever?” and forever is the key to the answer. God’s timing is not based on the World Clock, it’s based on eternity.
God answers our cry to Him based on the timeless click of His eternal clock because He is more interested in our eternal destination than our temporary lament. I love Him for that. Sometimes in the delay, God is orchestrating our answer through others and at other times He is changing our own hearts. Regardless of how long, He is answering according to our eternal good.
David snapped out of his despair and hope was renewed as he offered a prayer request to God. Prayer is our indication to God that we have hope that He will respond to our need. “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, ‘We have defeated him!’ Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.”(3-4) Restore the sparkle in my eyes – how could our loving God, the One who put the sparkle in our eyes, resist that request! When we pray without the disguise of contrived words or pretense and speak from our hearts, we touch God’s heart.
David talked himself right into trusting the Lord through his trial, “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.” (5-6) With hope renewed, David remembered that he could trust God’s unfailing love. In fact, God had been so faithful to David in the past that he could rejoice ahead of time for the victory in this trial. Trusting God does not always give immediate answers, but it does give us the encouragement we need. And finally, David burst into song – a song of praise about the goodness of God. A great ending!
God understands our laments, but He doesn’t want us to wallow in them. We can express our feelings, but we should give Him a prayer request as well. In doing so, we are expressing our confidence in Him to meet our needs. Then, filled with hope and trust like David, we will sing songs of praise in sync with the timeless click of His clock. Tick-tock!
Moving Forward: No lamenting for me today. With a heart filled with hope and trust, I’m singing songs of praise, keeping with the beat of His tick-tock.
Tomorrow @ Job 9-10
Phyllis Benigas 