Psalm 13 is delivered with a brevity that speaks volumes. There’s a breathlessness to it that suggests the Psalmist is exhausted. His energy has been expended and his will to live evaporated. These are the words of a spent man.

The repeated question “How long?” haunts the Psalm. Time stands still in the blackness of suffering. Grief suspends the Psalmist in an inescapable moment. Without God’s intervention—without the illumination of our eyes and invigoration of his spirit—hope would be a mere fantasy.

But in his mercy, God has made himself known as a saving God. He will gladly carry those who entrust themselves to his unfailing love. 

Suffering and sadness are undeniable realities. We harm ourselves when we try to defy or even downplay them because when we do, we deny our souls an opportunity to be carried by the God who saves.

But here we’re reminded that God promises us rescue because of his unfailing love.

May we always, in good times and bad, entrust ourselves to the God who promises to care.