August 3, 2025 • 9 mins
Trusting God in Silence: How to Overcome Spiritual Despair (Psalm 13)
When God feels distant and silence seems unending, how do you hold on? In Psalm 13, David gives voice to anguish and models a pathway from sorrow to trust. This episode explores how lament, prayer, and praise can lead weary hearts out of despair and into renewed faith.
Episode Highlights
- David’s repeated cry, “How long, O Lord?” captures the agony of spiritual silence
- Lament is not a lack of faith but a faithful protest grounded in God’s covenant love
- Prayer becomes an act of communion, not just a cry for change
- David moves from disorientation to praise, before circumstances improve
- Trusting God in silence is a deliberate act rooted in His steadfast love
- Psalm 13 teaches that spiritual despair is not sin, but a place where God meets us
- Joy is often a decision before it becomes a feeling
Resources and Next Steps
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
- Download devotionals, attend live meetups, and access biblical life training to grow emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
ABOUT JAMES and LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you seeking hope, wisdom, and practical solutions to life’s challenges? Dr. James Long, Jr., pastor, counselor, and professor with over 30 years of experience, helps people discover God’s solutions to emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges. Each episode of Lessons for Life points you to the peace and freedom found in Jesus Christ.
Resources and Next Steps
- Join the free Navigator Level of the Lessons for Life Community: https://jameslongjr.org/community
- Explore full membership and coaching options: https://jameslongjr.org/signupnow
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or
(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Hello everyone, it's James.
Do me a favor, grab your Bibleand a journal and we are going
to jump into Psalm 13.
Today.
(00:42):
Psalm 13 gives voice to thesilent anguish many believers
feel when God seems far away.
Through David's raw lament,heartfelt petition and
intentional praise, this psalmoffers a path for those battling
emotional and spiritual despairto re-anchor themselves in
God's steadfast love andfaithful presence.
(01:03):
Here's the first section a cryfrom the shadows when silence
feels like abandonment.
There are few experiences moredisorienting than feeling
forgotten by God.
You pray, but the heavens feellocked.
You read God's word, but itlies quiet.
You reach out for comfort, butnothing reaches back.
Psalm 13 captures thisspiritual agony in its opening
(01:27):
line, verse 1.
How long, o Lord, will youforget me forever.
David, the man after God's ownheart, holds nothing back.
He verbalizes what many saintsfeel but fear to say out loud.
His repetition how long?
Four times, in just two verses,reveals a soul worn thin by
delay, silence and suffering.
(01:48):
He is not only disoriented bydivine silence, he is also
overwhelmed by internal anguishand external opposition.
How long must I take counsel inmy own soul and have sorrow in
my heart all the day long, andhow long shall my enemies be
exalted over me?
What makes David's lament bothpiercing and pastoral is that he
(02:10):
never lets his pain becomeprofanity.
He does not accuse God, heappeals to Him.
He does not flee in bitterness,he fights to believe.
David teaches us that lament isnot faithlessness.
It's a faithful protestgrounded in the covenant.
Love of God, light in the fog,praying when you cannot see In
(02:33):
the shadows of sorrow.
Prayer may feel hollow or hard,but for David it remains a
lifeline, not a last resort.
His lament moves swiftly topetition.
Consider and answer me, o Lord.
My God, light up my eyes lest Isleep the sleep of death Verse
3.
When God feels far, prayerbecomes our anchor Verse 3.
(02:55):
These are not selfish requests.
David is not seeking his owncomfort.
(03:29):
For comfort's sake, he's askingGod to act in a way that
vindicates his name and protectshis people.
He fears that if he fails, theenemy will gloat and God's glory
will be mocked.
This is what makes prayer inaffliction such a holy act.
When we cry out to God from thedepths of our confusion, we
(03:50):
declare that he alone is ourhope, even when every other
voice says otherwise.
We appeal to His character, notour performance.
We ask Him to be who he alreadyis faithful, present, merciful
and just A song in the dark,choosing to trust.
Before you see, the mostsurprising moment in Psalm 13
(04:12):
comes in verses 5 and 6.
Nothing in David'scircumstances have changed.
God has not yet acted.
The enemy is still near, butDavid's posture has shifted.
His soul, once overwhelmed withsorrow, now is anchored in a
song.
Watch what it says in verses 5and 6.
But I have trusted in yoursteadfast love.
(04:33):
My heart shall rejoice in yoursalvation.
I will sing to the Lord becausehe has dealt bountifully with
me.
Well, what changed?
David made a choice.
He deliberately shifted hisgaze from what he felt true to
what was eternally true.
He remembered who God issteadfast in love, faithful in
(04:53):
salvation, generous in hisdealings and even before
deliverance came, david praisedhim.
Now, this is not denial of pain, it's a defiant hope.
David teaches us that joy isnot the result of a changed
circumstance.
It's the fruit of trust.
You may not feel God's nearness, but you can choose to believe
(05:14):
in his love.
You may not see the way forward, but you can sing of the one
who already leads his peoplethrough.
What are some of the doctrinalinsights that we find from Psalm
13?
First, we see the steadfastlove of the Lord, god's covenant
love, his chesed, is unchanging, even when circumstances feel
(05:35):
contrary.
We see that in verse 5.
Second, we see prayer ascommunion, not transaction.
David's appeal is not a demandfor comfort but a plea for
connection verses 3 and 4.
Number three we see spiritualdespair is not sinful.
Honest lament is part offaithful Christian living verses
(05:56):
1 through 2.
And fourth, we see joy is achoice, before it is a feeling.
David rejoices while still indarkness because he trusts in
God's character verse 5.
Now let's put all that doctrinetogether and let's make it
practical, practical theology,how Psalm 13 speaks to you Now.
If you're walking throughdepression, doubt, seasons of
(06:19):
spiritual dryness, let Psalm 13be your prayer, let it guide
your voice.
When you feel voiceless, whenyou feel forgotten by God,
remember his covenant love.
When you cannot see clearly,ask him to light up your eyes.
When the enemy of your soulwhispers, lies, declare what is
true.
God has been good to you.
(06:40):
When your enemy betrays you,cling to the unchanging truths
of scripture.
When you want to run from God,turn towards him instead.
When joy feels impossible,rehearse your reasons to trust.
And when darkness lingers, singanyway.
Well, let's reflect and respond.
Number one I want you toconsider this In what areas of
(07:02):
your life have you cried, howlong, o Lord, and what do these
words reveal about your heart'sdesire?
Number two what lies have youbeen tempted to believe about
God's character when he feelssilent?
3.
How can you move from innerdespair to prayerful dependence
today?
(07:22):
4.
What is one specific way youcan rehearse God's past
faithfulness in your life?
5.
Are you waiting for feelingsbefore you praise?
What would it look like to singbefore the answer comes?
6.
How can you help someone elsewho feels forgotten by God?
(07:45):
7.
What declaration do you need tomake this week?
Well, let's pray, father.
Thank you for revealingyourself through the power of
your word.
Lord Jesus, thank you for beingthe fulfillment of every
promise and the anchor for everystorm.
Holy Spirit, guide us intodeeper trust, lasting peace and
(08:09):
transforming hope, and teach usto walk in the truth of this
psalm.
Today, in your son's matchless,holy and powerful name, we pray
Amen and amen.
Are you struggling to hold on?
Well, you're not alone.
Psalm 13 reminds us thatfeeling forsaken is not the end
of the story.
God sees, god hears and Godwill act.
(08:31):
Well, if you'd like moreinformation, consider joining
our free navigator level of ourLessons for Life community at
jameslongjrorg slash communityfor devotionals, meetups and
training that can help you walkby faith.
Or, if you want to go deeper,you can explore one of our full
(08:53):
memberships at jameslongjrorgslash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow in emotional,relational and spiritual wisdom.
Well, he has not forgotten you.
He loves you and his love willnever fail you.
Thanks again for being with us.
(09:14):
Till next time.
Be blessed.
Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James
Long Jr, a special series fromLessons for Life.
I'm James, and in each episodewe will journey into the rich,
honest and healing language ofthe Psalms to find hope, clarity
and comfort for life's deepeststruggles.
Whether you're wrestling withanxiety, grief, anger or
(00:21):
spiritual dryness, the Psalmsoffer us a path towards
restoration and peace throughGod's Word.
So, wherever you are right now,take a deep breath and let's
enter into the heart ofScripture together.
Hello everyone, it's James.
Do me a favor, grab your Bibleand a journal and we are going
to jump into Psalm 13.
Today.
(00:42):
Psalm 13 gives voice to thesilent anguish many believers
feel when God seems far away.
Through David's raw lament,heartfelt petition and
intentional praise, this psalmoffers a path for those battling
emotional and spiritual despairto re-anchor themselves in
God's steadfast love andfaithful presence.
(01:03):
Here's the first section a cryfrom the shadows when silence
feels like abandonment.
There are few experiences moredisorienting than feeling
forgotten by God.
You pray, but the heavens feellocked.
You read God's word, but itlies quiet.
You reach out for comfort, butnothing reaches back.
Psalm 13 captures thisspiritual agony in its opening
(01:27):
line, verse 1.
How long, o Lord, will youforget me forever.
David, the man after God's ownheart, holds nothing back.
He verbalizes what many saintsfeel but fear to say out loud.
His repetition how long?
Four times, in just two verses,reveals a soul worn thin by
delay, silence and suffering.
(01:48):
He is not only disoriented bydivine silence, he is also
overwhelmed by internal anguishand external opposition.
How long must I take counsel inmy own soul and have sorrow in
my heart all the day long, andhow long shall my enemies be
exalted over me?
What makes David's lament bothpiercing and pastoral is that he
(02:10):
never lets his pain becomeprofanity.
He does not accuse God, heappeals to Him.
He does not flee in bitterness,he fights to believe.
David teaches us that lament isnot faithlessness.
It's a faithful protestgrounded in the covenant.
Love of God, light in the fog,praying when you cannot see In
(02:33):
the shadows of sorrow.
Prayer may feel hollow or hard,but for David it remains a
lifeline, not a last resort.
His lament moves swiftly topetition.
Consider and answer me, o Lord.
My God, light up my eyes lest Isleep the sleep of death Verse
3.
When God feels far, prayerbecomes our anchor Verse 3.
(02:55):
These are not selfish requests.
David is not seeking his owncomfort.
(03:29):
For comfort's sake, he's askingGod to act in a way that
vindicates his name and protectshis people.
He fears that if he fails, theenemy will gloat and God's glory
will be mocked.
This is what makes prayer inaffliction such a holy act.
When we cry out to God from thedepths of our confusion, we
(03:50):
declare that he alone is ourhope, even when every other
voice says otherwise.
We appeal to His character, notour performance.
We ask Him to be who he alreadyis faithful, present, merciful
and just A song in the dark,choosing to trust.
Before you see, the mostsurprising moment in Psalm 13
(04:12):
comes in verses 5 and 6.
Nothing in David'scircumstances have changed.
God has not yet acted.
The enemy is still near, butDavid's posture has shifted.
His soul, once overwhelmed withsorrow, now is anchored in a
song.
Watch what it says in verses 5and 6.
But I have trusted in yoursteadfast love.
(04:33):
My heart shall rejoice in yoursalvation.
I will sing to the Lord becausehe has dealt bountifully with
me.
Well, what changed?
David made a choice.
He deliberately shifted hisgaze from what he felt true to
what was eternally true.
He remembered who God issteadfast in love, faithful in
(04:53):
salvation, generous in hisdealings and even before
deliverance came, david praisedhim.
Now, this is not denial of pain, it's a defiant hope.
David teaches us that joy isnot the result of a changed
circumstance.
It's the fruit of trust.
You may not feel God's nearness, but you can choose to believe
(05:14):
in his love.
You may not see the way forward, but you can sing of the one
who already leads his peoplethrough.
What are some of the doctrinalinsights that we find from Psalm
13?
First, we see the steadfastlove of the Lord, god's covenant
love, his chesed, is unchanging, even when circumstances feel
(05:35):
contrary.
We see that in verse 5.
Second, we see prayer ascommunion, not transaction.
David's appeal is not a demandfor comfort but a plea for
connection verses 3 and 4.
Number three we see spiritualdespair is not sinful.
Honest lament is part offaithful Christian living verses
(05:56):
1 through 2.
And fourth, we see joy is achoice, before it is a feeling.
David rejoices while still indarkness because he trusts in
God's character verse 5.
Now let's put all that doctrinetogether and let's make it
practical, practical theology,how Psalm 13 speaks to you Now.
If you're walking throughdepression, doubt, seasons of
(06:19):
spiritual dryness, let Psalm 13be your prayer, let it guide
your voice.
When you feel voiceless, whenyou feel forgotten by God,
remember his covenant love.
When you cannot see clearly,ask him to light up your eyes.
When the enemy of your soulwhispers, lies, declare what is
true.
God has been good to you.
(06:40):
When your enemy betrays you,cling to the unchanging truths
of scripture.
When you want to run from God,turn towards him instead.
When joy feels impossible,rehearse your reasons to trust.
And when darkness lingers, singanyway.
Well, let's reflect and respond.
Number one I want you toconsider this In what areas of
(07:02):
your life have you cried, howlong, o Lord, and what do these
words reveal about your heart'sdesire?
Number two what lies have youbeen tempted to believe about
God's character when he feelssilent?
3.
How can you move from innerdespair to prayerful dependence
today?
(07:22):
4.
What is one specific way youcan rehearse God's past
faithfulness in your life?
5.
Are you waiting for feelingsbefore you praise?
What would it look like to singbefore the answer comes?
6.
How can you help someone elsewho feels forgotten by God?
(07:45):
7.
What declaration do you need tomake this week?
Well, let's pray, father.
Thank you for revealingyourself through the power of
your word.
Lord Jesus, thank you for beingthe fulfillment of every
promise and the anchor for everystorm.
Holy Spirit, guide us intodeeper trust, lasting peace and
(08:09):
transforming hope, and teach usto walk in the truth of this
psalm.
Today, in your son's matchless,holy and powerful name, we pray
Amen and amen.
Are you struggling to hold on?
Well, you're not alone.
Psalm 13 reminds us thatfeeling forsaken is not the end
of the story.
God sees, god hears and Godwill act.
(08:31):
Well, if you'd like moreinformation, consider joining
our free navigator level of ourLessons for Life community at
jameslongjrorg slash communityfor devotionals, meetups and
training that can help you walkby faith.
Or, if you want to go deeper,you can explore one of our full
(08:53):
memberships at jameslongjrorgslash.
Sign up now for deeper coachingand content designed to help
you grow in emotional,relational and spiritual wisdom.
Well, he has not forgotten you.
He loves you and his love willnever fail you.
Thanks again for being with us.
(09:14):
Till next time.
Be blessed.
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