The Object of Mercy: Misery
O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O LORD?how long? ~Psalm 6:1-3
The first verse of this psalm reminds me of my Mia when she knows she has disobeyed. ?Mia, did you disobey?? ?Yes.? ?Do you think you need punished?? ?Yes?but don?t make it hurt!?David is vexed both physically and spiritually in Psalm 6. He takes his pain and poverty to his Father as a needy child. He knows his Father must chasten and rebuke him for his disobedience, but he pleads that he would not do so in anger or ?hot displeasure?. He appeals to God?s mercy and acknowledges his utter helplessness. David understands that self sufficientcy is the steepest roadblock of faith. Matthew Henry states it well:
?Those heap up wrath who cry not when God binds them, but those are getting ready for mercy who under God?s rebukes, sow in tears?misery is the proper object of mercy.?
Return, O LORD, deliver me!
Oh, save me for Your mercies? sake!
5 For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks? ~Psalm 6:4-5
Again, David appeals to God?s mercy. Notice he does not speak selfishly or pridefully. There is not a hint of entitlement to relief on the basis of any good works, right choices or fairness towards humanity. No. All David sees is his own sin. He recognizes that his misery is largely due to his own disobedience to his Father. He relies solely on God?s mercy though he knows he doses not deserve it; he relies nothing on his dueness because he knows nothing is due him.
David remind the Lord of his potential usefulness on earth and sets his sights singly upon living to praise and glorify Him from now on if the Lord be gracious to relent these painful disciplines. He pleads only for a new opportunity to glorify God if he be restored to peace and health.
David?s sorrow and pain is extrordinary. He is deeply troubled without relief. Listen to his lament:
I am weary with my groaning;
All night I make my bed swim;
I drench my couch with my tears.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief;
It grows old because of all my enemies. ~Psalm 6:6-7
Finally, David experiences the assurance of pardon and grace in his soul. His tone drastically changes and he confindently ends his prayer with the peace of reconciliation with his Father.
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity;
For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my supplication;
The LORD will receive my prayer.
10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled;
Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.~Psalm 6:8-10
While cowards plead innocent despite guilt for fear of punishment, David proves quite courageous. He faced his Father after disobeying and humbly begged for mercy. He accepted that he deserved chastening but asked that it not be delievered in anger. While cowards pretend they have no need to apologize and blame others for their misadventures and misery, David bravely took responsibility and cried out to his Father in honest contrition. It was only after this time of lamenting that he could rest in God?s stregnth -not his own- despite his pain and live in faith, hope and blessed assurance. Let us learn from him.
?God calls upon us to be strong in faith; And strong faith will make men cheerful and courageous, and enable them to overcome strong difficulties.? ~Bogatzky
?Be strong and of good courage. I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Only be thou strong and very courageous.? ~Joshua 1:5,6,9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Di_8H1SAUQ
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