Some days are hard.

Some days I wonder how long evil will continue,

how long dishonest and selfish people will prosper,

how long sorrow will rule the day.

Some days I feel like God is silent.

But then, the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart by words penned by a shepherd king thousands of years ago, and gently corrects my perspective and my attitude.

David’s words are found in Psalm 13. In this psalm, he asks the big question – “How long, Lord?”

I can translate David’s questions into my own life.

• How long, Lord, will this problem continue?
• How long, Lord, until I see Your light?
• How long, Lord, will I have to deal with this irritation in life?
• How long, Lord, will my family hurt?

I have never found the answer to “how long” in scripture. You can find the question throughout as you read of the trials and persecutions of God’s people. Even the disciples asked Jesus before He ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:6). Instead of an answer, though, I see a consistent direction from God to trust Him, to continue to walk forward in faith with Him.

Proverbs 3: ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Psalm 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

This leaves me with a choice.

I can choose to place my trust in the holy, good character and heart of God, or I can continue to fret and fume because I can’t see tomorrow.

When days are hard, when my heart struggles, I choose to follow David’s example:

• I have trusted in God’s mercy, and I trust Him today.
• I rejoice, ecstatically rejoice, in the salvation He has granted me.
• I will sing to Him in gratitude for all He has done.

Somehow, with this change of focus the questions don’t seem so pressing and depressing, and the strength that I need for today’s tasks is provided for me.

Photo – St. Simon’s Lighthouse, Beth Mims