How Long Will You Hide Your Face From Me

Psalm 13:1, 5-6

First published on: March 20, 2019

Last updated on: September 30, 2025

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
. . .
But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13:1, 5-6 NIV

As a Christian, do you ever feel like God is far away? That your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling? That your joy in Christ is missing? I think we all go through periods like that. Especially if you have been a believer for any length of time. And clearly, David experienced it. But what do you do when you find yourself in that condition?

I believe there are two things you could do. Some will wander away from God. And they will look for fulfillment, satisfaction, or joy in some other source. But that is the road that leads to ruin.

Trust in God

At the end of this Psalm, David expressed the alternative that he chose. David chose to continue to trust in God and to rejoice in His salvation. Even when his situation screamed for him to seek help elsewhere, David chose to remain faithful to God.

David’s example for us is good. If your sin is causing separation from God, repent and seek restoration (Psalm 51). But other times, when it seems God is distant, choose to remain faithful to Him and His call in your life. Don’t trust in your feelings. Trust in God. Know that He loves you and cares for you more than you can know. Trust that He is always near, even when it appears otherwise.

God Has Not Forgotten You – Exodus 2:23-25

Does it seem sometimes like God has forgotten you? If you are his, you can rest assured that he will act on your behalf when the time is best.

Never Be Lacking in Zeal – Romans 12:11

This is an important reminder for those of us who have served the Lord for many years. Never be lacking in zeal. Keep your spiritual fervor.

Don’t Be Taken in by Deceptive Philosophy – Colossians 2:8

Paul warns us against being taken in by deceptive philosophies that abound in our world. Instead, keep your eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus.

Each According to His Ability – Matthew 25:15

You may or may not be as talented or gifted as another. But your talents and gifts are not as important as faithfully using them.

(This post was originally published on

March 20, 2019

)

Additional Related Posts

Bible Study Psalms Faithfulness Trust

If you have found value in this post, please consider sharing it with your friends.

Ed Jarrett

Just an old clay jar that God continues to see fit to use in his kingdom's work. I am retired, married with 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. I have followed Jesus for many years. And I love to share what He has given me from His word.

A Note to Readers

The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.