Homeschool Moms Teach the Psalms (8-14)Sample

Psalm 13: How long is this darkness?

Psalm 13 has only 6 verses, but they are packed with meaning.

Four times the Psalmist says, “How long, O Lord?” This reminds me of the many years we dealt with a rebellious child that made me cry daily, “How long, O Lord?” 

In those early education years, those turbulent teen years, or those difficult marriage seasons, we can find ourselves also saying, “How long, O Lord?”

The psalmist was in a dark night of the soul as he felt forgotten, sorrowful, and defeated by the enemy. Every one of us has been through seasons like this. It should not surprise us, as 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “All who lead a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

When we are in this darkness, we can pray like David did in this psalm: “O Lord my God; light up my eyes!” When we are able to see Him and His light devours our darkness, then we are able to trust like David trusted. We are able to rejoice like David rejoiced. And we are able to sing like David sang. 

When we are in these seasons of dark days and nights, we must consciously make an effort to trust, rejoice, and sing. It is just the healing therapy we need as found in verses 5 and 6: 

Trust: “I have trusted in your steadfast love.”

Rejoice: “My heart shall rejoice in your salvation.”

Sing: “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”

When we look down that long lane of education starting at preschool through high school, and are tempted to say, “How long, O Lord?” we should counter that mentality with, “O Lord my God; light up my eyes!” We know that when we are able to see who God is, we are able to trust Him in our homeschooling, rejoice in His salvation, and sing of His goodness toward us. 

To Do with the Kids:

Read Psalm 13 together. Highlight in yellow everywhere it says, “How long, O Lord?” Use a green highlighter for, “O Lord my God; light up my eyes,” and blue for the words: trust, rejoice, and sing. Make a card for someone special. Use verses 5-6 as copy inside and the child's artwork on the front. Study Scriptures  and science books on light and darkness.