Here’s one of the reasons I LOVE the Psalms… Feelings! They address human emotions that people struggle with in the “rough and tough” of life. Theology is there – it’s included, its important – but it’s not the first thing you usually encounter… You get FEELINGS!
Like Psalm 13…
The Psalmist has been through it. He has prayed, he has cried, he has tried, he has trusted… No answer! No help! No deliverance!
“HOW LONG, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? HOW LONG will you hide your face from me? HOW LONG must I take counsel in my soul [i.e. try to figure out why I don’t get an answer] and have sorrow in my hear all the day? HOW LONG shall my enemy be exalted over me?” … FEELINGS!
The Request? “Consider and answer me, O Lord my God! Light up my eyes…!”
Then the affirmation of faith in God’s character… “But I have trusted in your STEADFAST LOVE [Your ‘Hesed’ – your ‘reliable, faithful, covenant love’]! My heart SHALL rejoice in your salvation! I WILL SING to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me!” (From Psalm 13 ESV)
There it is… the whole journey of a believer going through a severe “faith trial” – The feelings, the prayer, the faith affirmation – but also a song of restored confidence in the Lord’s “Hesed” [His steadfast covenant love)!
There’s theology there – the Lord is always faithful! But you also get the gut-wrenching feeling of the person going through a trial – feeling almost abandoned – forgotten! Been there? I have! I identify completely with the Psalmist!!! I’m glad I can!!!
Coffee With The Lord 