Psalm 13

Sermon Follow Up

Summary

In Psalm 13 David asks God some candid questions that, without context may seem disrespectful or entitled—they aren’t. David’s prayers are responses to and reminders of God’s promises. David isn’t making demands, he is reminding God of His own plans and asking Him to bring them to fruition. This Psalm invites us to interact with God the same way—grab onto God’s promises and don’t let them go.

Discussion/Reflection Material

-The flow of Psalm 13 indicates that David worked his way to renewed trust in God through the process of prayer. Sometimes, in fear, or out of a sense of respect for God, we pull our punches in prayer and try to protect our relationship with God from our doubts, disappointments, and questions. Take them to Him, lay it all out, and see if the Lord doesn’t renew your trust in Him in the process.

-David’s trust in God’s promises is both the cause and the cure of his lamentation. Do you believe God’s promises deeply enough that waiting for their fruition grieves you, or have you adopted a “that’s just the way it is,” kind of mentality?

-Why do you think that God is taking so long in the deliverance of His promises, what is He up to in the meantime and how can we be encouraged as we wait?

Family-Friendly

Big Idea: If we believe God’s promises then we’ll ask Him when we can have them.

Question: Have you ever gone on a beach vacation and, while in the car, asked your parents if you were almost there? You asked them that question because you really believed that they were taking you to the beach. Similarly, if we really believed that God is renewing the world, conquering sin, and sending Jesus back to make all things new, we should be asking Him pretty routinely, “are we almost there”?

And just like our parents provide good things for us to do in the car—songs to sing, stories to watch or listen to, and snacks to eat—God gives us all of those things while we’re on the journey to His fulfilled promises. What has God given us while we’re waiting?