O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. Psalm 6:1-4 ESV
Warrior;
The Psalms are beautiful poetic songs of prayer. The Psalms are an undulating line of crying out, emotional highs and lows and the rawness of living in a world that is working against those working with, and for, Yahweh. There is much to say about the Psalms, one writer suggests that the Psalms convey three important themes of Hebrew Scripture – that God is active in history, the necessity of human response to God through praise and prayer, and the beginning of wisdom is to Trust in God and fear of the Lord. This is a Psalm written by David and it is a Psalm that most of us can understand, because it is a Psalm where David is conscious of his guilt. David knows he is deserving chastisement from the Lord! Does this feel or sound familiar? David is asking for Mercy. This is what we should be asking for instead of Justice. We should be giving to others what we need for ourselves and that is mercy and grace. If you are a parent you know what it is like to be in the NOW moment and sometimes overreact to a situation with a child. Sometimes when we are in the heat of the moment, we can be more severe than the situation would dictate. So David, understanding our own human nature, attributes to God the same possibility, and CRIES OUT for MERCY and UNDERSTANDING. The Psalms are in the center of the Bible, representing the HEART, if you will. This great collection of songs, poems and prayers expresses the heart and soul of humanity. As the World moves further away from God and those who are children of God experience the hatred of the world, the Psalms will be a more important part of time in the Scriptures.
Leader, this 6th psalm is interesting because it is a psalm that every true believer can ‘put on’ and have understanding and empathy as we read. Numbers, as well as many other items in the Bible have deeper meanings. The number 6 is considered the number of man, and I believe for that reason, it is a Psalm that speaks to every true believer. David was a blessed man, he was the great King of Israel- yet he is no different than you or I. David was a flawed human being who needed a SAVIOR. Can you feel David’s pain as you Hear the cry of a man whose heart is after God; “I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes. Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment”. (Psalm 6:6-10) The Psalms allow us to walk and wallow in the undulating line of emotions that we sinners go through as we learn to die to ourselves and live for the LORD. The Psalms allow us the go to deep places emotionally that those who came before us, dwelled in, as they walked with God in a world that is WARRING with God. The Bible is meant to be studied, understood, and applied. As Jesus said, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say, not keep my commandments?” See Luke 6:46 and John 14:15. As one commentator said, “We understand the Psalms best when we “stand under” them and allow them to flow over us like a rain shower. We may turn to the Psalms looking for something, but sooner or later we will meet Someone. The Psalms put into words our deepest hurts, longings, thoughts, and prayers. They gently push us towards being what God designed us to be; People LOVING and LIVING for HIM”!
Conduit, it is getting harder and harder to live in our world and to be a child of the Risen King. God is separating Sheep and Goats, His people from the people of the world, those who humbled themselves at the foot of the cross and those who elevate themselves as the God of their life. As you get closer to God, the world will become more of an adversary than friend, and the Psalms can keep you grounded and aware of the battle. Consider the following guide as you go through the tribulations of this dying world, as a CHILD OF YAHWEH, ADONAI, JEHOVAH, ELOHIM! To find comfort, Psalm 23. To meet God intimately, Psalm 103. To pray, Psalm 136. To sing, Psalm 92. To learn more about God, Psalm 24. To understand yourself more clearly, Psalm 8. To know how to come to God each day, Psalm 5. To be forgiven for your sins, Psalm 51. To feel worthwhile, Psalm 139. To understand why you should read the Bible, Psalm 119. To give praise to God, Psalm 145. To know God is in control, Psalm 146. To give thanks to God, Psalm 136. To please God, Psalm 15. To know why you should worship God, Psalm 104. Psalm 8, NLT: “O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth.” Amen!
Way of The Warrior- A Daily Devotional 