Beyond the Weekend

May 9 | Not Alone

May 9, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? Psalms 13:1

Read: Psalm 13
Listen:
Psalm 13

TODAY’S MESSAGE

A woman is desperate and has nowhere else to turn. Her bleeding is now in its twelfth year, and she has spent every penny looking for a cure (Luke 8:43). Not only has no one been able to provide relief, but her disease also makes her socially and religiously an outcast. Her pain is physical, economic and social. She is weak, broke and alone. Hearing about Jesus, she hopes to get close to the “Healer.” She thinks if she can just touch a part of his garment—maybe he will heal her like he healed others.

This is familiar for us too— a chronic health issue, a fractured relationship that shows no evidence of being repaired as the years approach a decade, or a decision someone made that still causes us sleepless nights. Whatever it is, it is long and difficult. It’s as if King David (the author of Psalm 13) knows what we’re going through when he pleads with God, “How long? How long?” (Psalm 13:1). We ask, and we wait, yet nothing seems to happen.

But just as Jesus sees a woman barely hanging on, he sees us and lets us know we are not abandoned. It’s the same hope David expresses when he affirms, “I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.” No matter the situation and no matter how long, God sees us and has not abandoned us.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Use Psalms 13 as a model prayer to cry out to God in your painful situation. Begin with “How long, how long?” as you name your hurt. Then end by reminding yourself of God’s promise to see and be with you, knowing that God’s unfailing love is worthy of your trust (Psalm 13:5).


2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

May is SECRECY. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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