Every year our city of Milton Keynes hosts a marathon. One of my good friends was running in it this year, his first marathon at the age of 56. Thankfully he made it, and he popped in afterwards for a cup of tea – I had offered a celebratory protein shake, but he went for tea (good decision).
He admitted it had been really hard. He’d never run further than a half-marathon, and was really feeling it after 15 miles. He was also raising funds for a church repair project, which only added to the pressure – thinking of all that sponsorship money which might be lost if he quit. But he got there, and whilst he expects to be hobbling for the rest of the week – and will never run another one! – he can enjoy the satisfaction of having battled with his body, and overcome.
‘How long?’ So today’s Psalm begins – a cry every marathon runner knows well! It’s also been a recurring theme already in the psalms, appearing in Psalms 4, 6 and now for a third time in Psalm 13. It’s a cry of the heart, and one that anyone who prays for anything that really matters knows well.
David testifies to all the emotions that I’m sure many of us have experienced, too when troubles are ongoing: mental conflict (‘wrestling with my thoughts’ vs), sorrow (v2), a feeling of failure (v2), and even wondering if life is really worth it after all (v3).
What we don’t find out in this Psalm is whether David gets the answer to his prayer. But he does get something else, perhaps even more precious: he is reminded of the Lord’s unfailing love, and rejoices in his salvation (v5). There is more at play than his current circumstances. Despite everything, David counts his blessings, because he knows that the Lord has been good to him (v6).
It’s not a magic cure, but this kind of attitude does set everything in perspective. Life is hard, and although specific answers to particular challenges are always welcome, what we really need is the assurance of something deeper: of the abiding presence of God, of his consistent goodness, of the fact that we are loved and saved, despite our flaws, our failings and our foibles.
This is what enables David to overcome, day by day. It is the recipe for us, too. So, today, keep offering your heartfelt prayers to God, don’t be afraid to cry ‘How long, Lord?’ – but also take a few moments to anchor yourself in the eternal consistency of God’s character: his unfailing love, goodness and salvation. Those who do always overcome.