Trusting God’s Unfailing Love Psalm 13:5
Introduction:
Today, we turn our hearts to one of the shortest but most profound psalms in the Bible, Psalm 13:5. This psalm provides a window into the soul of King David during a time of great distress, yet it concludes with a powerful declaration of trust in God’s unfailing love. Psalm 13:5 (NLT) says: “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.”
This verse holds a timeless truth that can anchor us in our own moments of despair. As we examine this text, we’ll explore three key points: Trusting in God's Unfailing Love, Rejoicing in God's Rescue, and Responding in Faithful Obedience. Through this psalm, we learn that no matter how deep our pain or confusion, we can trust in God’s enduring love and rejoice in His salvation.
I. Trusting in God’s Unfailing Love
Psalm 13:5 begins with a simple yet profound statement: “But I trust in your unfailing love.” The Hebrew word for "unfailing love" is chesed, which refers to God’s steadfast, covenantal love—a love that is loyal, enduring, and unchanging.
David wrote this psalm during a time of intense personal suffering. In the first four verses, he pours out his heart to God, asking, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1, NLT). Yet, despite his feelings of abandonment, David shifts his focus from his circumstances to God’s character. He declares his trust in God’s chesed, knowing that God’s love is not dependent on his situation but on God’s faithful nature.
The Hebrew concept of chesed emphasizes God’s loyalty to His covenant promises. This is not a fleeting or emotional love, but a committed, faithful love that never fails. Even when life feels overwhelming, we can rely on this steadfast love.
In our own lives, we may face situations where we feel forgotten or abandoned by God. Like David, we need to remind ourselves that God’s love for us is unchanging. Even when our circumstances seem bleak, God’s chesed is a firm foundation we can stand on. We are called to trust in His love, even when we cannot see how He is working.
Pastor Tim Keller once said, “God’s love is not a pampering love; it is a perfecting love.” God’s chesed love is not about giving us what we want, but about shaping us into who we are called to be. Trusting in His love means surrendering to His perfecting work in our lives, even when it is painful.
II. Rejoicing in God’s Rescue
The second half of Psalm 13:5 shifts from trust to joy: “I will rejoice because you have rescued me.” David moves from lament to praise, from sorrow to rejoicing. What’s interesting here is that David is rejoicing in God’s rescue even before he sees it fully realized.
The Hebrew word for "rescued" is yasha, which means to save, deliver, or help. David is confident that God will deliver him, even though he is still in the midst of his struggle. This is not a naive optimism but a deep-seated faith in God’s faithfulness. David knows that because God has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful again.
This echoes the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4 (NLT): “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Paul, writing from prison, understood that true joy is not dependent on circumstances but on our relationship with God. Rejoicing in God’s rescue is an act of faith, a declaration that we trust God to save us, even when we haven’t seen it yet.
We are called to rejoice in God’s salvation, even in the midst of our trials. This kind of joy is rooted in the knowledge that God is faithful, and that He will ultimately deliver us, whether in this life or the next. Our rejoicing is not just about what God has done in the past but also about what He will do in the future.
Rick Warren reminds us, “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” This kind of joy flows from a deep trust in God’s unfailing love and His promise to rescue us.
III. Responding in Faithful Obedience
David’s trust in God’s love and his rejoicing in God’s rescue naturally lead to a life of faithful obedience. While this is not explicitly stated in Psalm 13:5, it is implied in the very nature of trust and rejoicing. True trust in God’s chesed love should lead to a life that reflects that trust through faithful obedience.
James 2:17 (NLT) tells us: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” Faith that does not result in action is incomplete. David’s declaration of trust and joy would have been hollow if it did not translate into a life of obedience to God’s commands.
In the New Testament, Jesus calls us to abide in His love and keep His commandments. John 15:10 (NLT) says: “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” True trust in God’s love will lead us to obey Him, not out of obligation but out of love.
Our response to God’s love and salvation should be a life of faithful obedience. This means following God’s commands, not because we are trying to earn His love, but because we have already experienced it. As we trust in God’s chesed love and rejoice in His salvation, let us also commit to living lives that reflect that trust through our actions.
Francis Chan challenges us with these words: “True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.” Living a life of faithful obedience is about betting everything on the truth of God’s promises and trusting Him with every aspect of our lives.
Conclusion:
Psalm 13:5 offers us a roadmap for navigating life’s darkest moments. It begins with trust in God’s unfailing love, moves to rejoicing in God’s rescue, and concludes with a life of faithful obedience. In times of trouble, let us remember that God’s chesed love is a firm foundation we can stand on. As we trust in His love and rejoice in His salvation, may we also commit to living lives that reflect that trust through our obedience to His Word.
Call to Action:
This week, I challenge you to meditate on Psalm 13:5 and ask God to deepen your trust in His unfailing love. As you do, choose to rejoice in His salvation, even before you see the answer to your prayers. And finally, let that trust and joy lead you into a life of faithful obedience, knowing that God is with you every step of the way.
Amen.
