Greater Than Week 2 Wednesday

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? Psalm 13:1-2

Disappointment is no one's friend. Disappointment can be heartbreaking. We may not realize it, but often fear of disappointment can keep us from moving forward in our faith. We can become so fearful of being disappointed that we are scared to take any steps at all. This is not a way to live. There is a much better way for us than living in disappointment, and that way is trusting God even when things do not turn out as expected.

Throughout his prayers, David was known to express his disappointments to God. He wrote about these disappointments in Psalm 13. He began this Psalm by saying, "O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?" (verse 1). He did not stop there; continuing his thoughts, he wrote, "How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul… How long will my enemy have the upper hand? (verse 2). These questions express the depth of David's disappointment. He was waiting for God to act in his life in several ways. This despair led David to ask the question, "How long?" Have you ever asked this question to God? Can you relate to David's despair and disappointment? Maybe you, too, have asked God the same or a similar question. You are not alone. God welcomes your questions, and He is ready and willing to hear them.

While David certainly expressed his disappointment, he did not stay in that disappointment. In his prayer, David eventually shifted his focus from his disappointment to his hope in God. In Psalm 13:5-6, David wrote, "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." David knows his disappointment, but he also knew the power of His God. Although disappointed, David possessed a defiant faith and hope in God that was greater than his fear. He knew God's character; He was good and would do good to him.

Are you feeling disappointed today? Have you felt such disappointment in the past that fear of disappointment has overtaken you? Turn to God. Express your disappointment. Tell God what you are disappointed about and what you are fearful of becoming disappointed about. Express all of these feelings. Express them, but do not stay in them. Remember God. Remember God's faithfulness, protection, and division and lean on Him.

MOVING TOWARD ACTION

Is disappointment keeping you from trusting God and causing fear? Pull out your journal and answer this question honestly. What are you disappointed about or fearful that you will be disappointed about? Write it down. Then, talk to God about it. Ask Him to remind you that He is working in every area of your life, and you can trust Him.

GOING DEEPER

Read Psalm 13:1-6(NLT)