Thrust: Even when God seems remote, we must continually fix our eyes on Him and believe in His steadfast love

Scripture: Psalm 13

1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, 4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

I. The Act of Disappearance by God

A. David's Complaint

B. David's Confusion

Exodus 17:4
Then Moses cried  out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

2 Kings 20:2-3
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed… And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Habakkuk 1:2
How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?

Do not be afraid/Do not fear is said 365 times in the Bible.

II. The Act of Determination in God

Psalm 13:3a
Look on me and answer, Lord my God ...

A. Acknowledged his reliance on God

In Hebrew – Jehovah my Elohim

• Jehovah – “The God of promise”
  
• Elohim – “The God of Power”

God, I believe You have the power to keep Your promise.

B. Acknowledged His Confusion

Psalm 13:3b
... Give light to my eyes ...

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path 

Psalm 119:10-11
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

• Darkness does not gain control
  
• Darkness will be cast out in the light of God’s Word

III. The Act of Devotion to God

A. Declaration of His Salvation

Psa 13:5 - But I ...

In Hebrew – Salvation, has a broad range of meaning:

• Deliverance
  
• Aid
  
• Victory
  
• Prosperity
  
• Health
  
• Help
  
• Salvation

My heart shall rejoice in Your deliverance ...

B. Declaration of His Praise

Conclusion

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
~ All the way my Saviour Leads Me by Fanny Crosby

Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need
~ Christ is Enough, Hillsong Music

To keep Your lovely face
Ever before my eyes
This is my prayer
Make it my strong desire
That in my secret heart
No other love competes
No rival throne survives
And I serve only You
~ To Keep Your Lovely Face, Graham Kendrick

Don’t ask God when you can get out of this season. Instead, ask God for what you can get out of this season!

UPLOOK to God for your OUTLOOK in life.