“I will sing to the LORD, for he is good to me.” Psalm 13:6 (NLT)
Have you ever felt like God was taking too long to answer your prayers? Maybe you’re watching a marriage struggle, a child make poor choices, or facing a health scare that keeps you awake at night. Perhaps you’re caring for an aging parent while juggling your own responsibilities, feeling stretched beyond your limits. In moments like these, the psalmist David’s words echo in our hearts: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)
David penned these raw, honest words during a season of deep despair. Four times in the opening verses, he cries out, “How long…” His soul was in anguish, his enemy seemed to be winning, and he felt forgotten by God. Yet remarkably, this same psalm that begins in the depths of despair ends with a declaration of song: “I will sing to the LORD, for he is good to me.”
How did David move from despair to singing? The answer lies in what he chose to focus on. Instead of fixating on his circumstances or the timeline of his rescue, David shifted his gaze to God’s character. He remembered that God is good not because life was perfect, but because goodness flows from who God is, not what He does.
When David chose to sing, he was declaring this truth about God’s unchanging character. To sing means to utter sweet, melodious sounds, like a bird chirping at dawn to celebrate the sunrise. But we have an even greater reason to break into song. We can celebrate the goodness of God. His character never changes, regardless of our circumstances. He is loving, kind, merciful, and gracious. He treats us generously, lavishing mercy and grace on us every single day.
When we’re drowning in despair, singing to God might feel counterintuitive. But praise becomes a sacrifice of faith, an offering that declares God’s goodness even when we can’t see it. This kind of praise strengthens us because it reminds us of who God truly is.
When you find yourself asking, “How long?” remember that praising God for who He is will give you the strength to stand even in the darkest times. Turn on worship music and let your voice join in singing about God’s goodness. As you sing through your despair, you’ll be reminded of this truth: God is still good. His goodness isn’t dependent on your circumstances but flows from His unchanging character.
REFLECT
What circumstances in your life are tempting you to focus on “how long” instead of “how good” God is? Will you choose today to offer a sacrifice of praise, singing to the Lord because He is good to you?
