Rejoicing in the Wait: A Devotional on Psalm 13
We know that God is a generous and loving Father who works all things together for His glory and for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). But let’s be honest—sometimes, trusting Him can feel incredibly hard.
It’s not that we believe God is untrustworthy or unkind. The hardest part about trusting God is often this: it feels like He is slow.
When the Silence Feels Too Loud
I’ve whispered these words in prayer more times than I can count:
Is God even listening? Does He even care? Is this even worth it anymore?
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The psalmist David felt it, too:
“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1)
David isn’t just suffering—he’s worn down by the unknown. How long will this pain last? How long will God seem distant?
The Temptation to Forget
Waiting often tempts us to forget who God is—and to wonder if He has forgotten us.
The enemy loves to whisper doubt into the quiet: “If God really cared, wouldn’t He have acted by now?”
But Psalm 13 shows us how to respond when our faith feels fragile.
What David Did in the Waiting
As we continue through Psalm 13, we see two key steps David took:
1. He kept coming to God.
David didn’t retreat in silence—he cried out:
“Consider and answer me, O LORD my God” (Psalm 13:3).
Even when he felt forgotten, he still sought God. This kind of raw, honest faith is powerful.
2. He reminded himself of the truth.
David didn’t wait for his circumstances to change before praising God. He spoke truth over his soul:
“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:5–6).
By recalling God’s faithfulness in the past, David found strength for the present. His remembrance led to rejoicing—even before resolution came.
Rejoicing in Christ, Even in the Wait
When the wait feels long, and God feels silent, we must anchor ourselves in Christ. We must recall the promises secured for us through the finished work of Jesus. Because of His steadfast love, we have been redeemed, purchased, and adopted into His family.
Our salvation in Christ is reason to rejoice—even when the answers haven’t come yet.
Reflection
Where are you struggling to see God at work right now?
What promises of God can you cling to as you wait?
Meet the Author
Claudia Stehr
Claudia is a daughter redeemed by Jesus Christ. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband Sam. Claudia loves music, long walks and hikes, coffee chats with friends, and allll the dogs. She also loves Philadelphia sports #gobirds
Claudia has a heart for leading and discipling young women, and served in the ministries of Cru and Young Life. She loves writing, and she deeply believes in the importance of encouragement and refreshment found in communicating, sharing, and teaching God’s Word.
