How long will my enemy be exalted over me? (vs 2). This was David’s plea to God in Psalm 13. David felt abandoned by God and experienced immense sorrow to the “point of death” (vs 3).  He also feared that his enemies would be victorious. We are not sure whether David is worried about physical enemies or spiritual enemies. Either way, he felt vulnerable and strived to remain a faithful servant. We see a similar experience with Jesus in Gethsemane:

Jesus said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death…he threw himself down with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if possible, let this cup pass from me! Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Matthew 26:37-40)

Both men felt alone and abandoned by God and knew their enemies were lurking and waiting for an opportune time to pounce (1 Peter 5:8). We know this is just the beginning of Jesus’ suffering, but we are not sure where Psalm 13 ties into David’s life. And that is okay. For, both men demonstrated for us a perfect response—not to depend on how “faithful” we are feeling, or what will be the end result, or even what the enemy is doing.

Instead we can respond with a BUT I (vs 6). The word BUT is an emphatic response in writing and for our spiritual life. We can interrupt our internal dialogue and change how we respond. For example:

• To a spiritual drought—“I will trust in God’s faithfulness.”
• To human feelings of loneliness and abandonment…“I will rejoice in salvation.”
• To the enemy’s prodding… “I will sing praises to Jehovah!” (vs 5-6)

Interrupt your desert faith walk with a BUT I…