Surviving Cold, Dark Times
Scripture Reading — Psalm 13:1-6
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.
A question many people ask about honeybees is “How do they survive the cold months of winter?” The answer is that worker bees form a tight cluster around the queen, with their heads pointed toward her in the center. Then they vibrate (shiver) their muscles to generate heat for the queen and themselves. They also shift positions constantly from the warm, inner core to the outer layers of the cluster so that the bees on the outside don’t get too cold. And their stored food gives them the energy to keep going.
The main question of Psalm 13 is “How long, LORD?” This question expresses deep dismay over having to endure the attacks and successes of an enemy. The psalmist seems to have wrestled with this enemy’s threats and advances for a long, dark time without relief.
Sometimes our struggles and setbacks in life can make us feel that way too. I have also engaged in this kind of wondering if I am lost in troubles of my own making and/or in struggles with the relentless wickedness in our world. A common question is “How are we going to get through this?”
A helpful response is in the psalmist’s closing lines. The writer recalls the Lord’s unfailing love and goodness and looks ahead with hope, expressing joy in the Lord’s salvation. May we recognize that the Lord faithfully sustains and preserves our lives each day!
Lord, look on us and give light to our eyes amid the cold, dark days of our struggles. Guide us to trust in you and praise you faithfully. Amen.
About the author — Don Byker
Don Byker has been a pastor since 1984 in various churches and institutional settings. Don and his wife, Donna, are the parents of four adult children, two of whom are married. Donna and Don are also the glad grandparents of three granddaughters. Currently Don is serving in a rural church in Michigan full of gardeners.
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