In the Waiting: Psalm 13
Psalm 13 begins with another deep cry from the depths of David’s soul: “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?” (v.1 NLT)
Perhaps, in an attempt for us to fully grasp the desperation of these first few verses, we need to go out to a solitary place and say the words ourselves. Maybe we need to groan them…or cry them out! We’re so familiar with the story of David, with the complaints and the raw emotions, that we’re actually less able to locate ourselves, and our circumstances, in the story.
No, not David’s actual story. Our story!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it perfectly:
“Celebrating Advent means learning how to wait.… Not all can wait – certainly not those who are satisfied, contented, and feel that they live in the best of all possible worlds! Those who learn to wait are uneasy about their way of life, but yet have seen a vision of greatness in the world of the future and are patiently expecting its fulfillment.” (from Plough Daily Email, 2022.12.02)
David knows how to wait! Let’s not mistake his questions for a lack of patience. He’s willing to sit in the reality of what is, pay attention to the broad spectrum of emotions, name the emotions, bring them to God, and turn his lament into a declaration of God’s goodness.
Might this be a demonstration of emotionally healthy spirituality?
Here’s the pivot: “Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.” (v.3)
Even as David is shifting from his very real turmoil, he’s counting on God to make the turn toward him. This deep awareness of a “vision of greatness in the world of the future” doesn’t happen by accident. We can’t really “will” ourselves into it. We must nurture this level of surrender across a lifetime of Advents!
“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. For these, it is enough to wait in humble fear until the Holy One himself comes down to us, God in the child in the manger.” (Bonhoeffer, ibid.)
Here’s the deal: we’re waiting for deliverance. And yet. And yet. And yet…
God has turned his face to us. The sparkle is returning to our eyes.
“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.” (Psalms 13:5-6)
Please do yourself a favor and listen to “Seasons” by Hillsong Worship. Look up the lyrics. It has some of the most powerful imagery of “waiting” and patience” I’ve ever heard in a worship song.
Listen. Wait. Listen again. Wait some more. Listen yet again…softer.
“If you’re not done working, God I’m not done waiting.”