A Troubled Soul Prays To God in Anguish and Hope
Ps. 6
Jay Horsley
Yet again David is greatly troubled. He pleads with the Lord as one who recognizes his unworthiness to come before God. This is as it should be. All who think soberly about how provocative their sins are to a HOLY God will become totally humiliated and fearful. Recognition of sin before God leaves no room for pride. Seeing our sinfulness from the perspective of God's righteousness drives us to fear and, in the words of inspiration, “dismay.” Gratefully this is not the complete picture of God's view of sinful man, though we must ever remember it is a part. We are not to simply think of God looking on with stern face set against us - like the grim, unyielding disciplinarian of old. His grace is also ever present. But don't mistakenly think of only grace either. Some do this, causing them to view God like the kindly grandfather that hands out candy and will one day leave you all his money. But neither view is balanced or biblical.
To properly appreciate God's grace we must first recognize His absolute holiness, righteousness and justice – and view our sin accordingly. Know that He will be stern if we don't repent and we will be hell bound for our transgressions. When we are living in sin we MUST view sin from this perspective so that we may effect godly change. David recognized his failings in this way and called out with complete dependence on God's grace. David's own strength was failing and he was greatly troubled, so he recognized his need and waited on the Lord.
David called on the Lord to come to his rescue and set him free from his troubles that he might sing the praises of God here on this earth. David realized that the grace and mercy he would receive would be in this life. This side of the vail is where man can praise God, serve and honor Him, and receive the grace the leads to life eternal. At death all is decided and our activity is done. There we can no longer tell others of God's wondrous works and acts of grace. David wishes to do these things now – while he still can.
See the great grief of David. The scriptures say of Jesus, to show His identity with our humanity, that he was “a man of grief, acquainted with sorrows.” Righteous David was likewise grief stricken. The causes listed for this are the “anger of the Lord,” “workers of iniquity,” and “my enemies.” We have discussed the “Lord's anger” already and have seen its close relation to sin (usually our own). Notice also that “enemies” tormented David. As Jesus warned us, we are not of the world so we are hated by it. Thru their sin they provoked David to sin. Whether by temptation and seduction to get David involved with them, or more likely that their evil and malice provoked David to give into weakness and sinfully retaliate against them, the result is the same: the righteous are oppressed by sin, or even entangled in it.
Great grief is the effect of this internal and external battle with sin. David “swam” and “dissolved his couch” in tears. His eyes became “wasted and old.” Only the fool thinks that sin won't effect him. And only those with completely seared consciences don't struggle with sin - because sin has already fully conquered them. To give up the fight against sin is to consign ourselves to hell. To endless struggle against sin by our own strength is a battle we will lose. But to faithfully seek God's grace to forgive and to help us is to overcome. Only one course makes sense. Only one course leads to heaven.
Sinners be warned: leave this righteous man alone. Will they? Probably not until they are totally consumed by the Lord, but David is still renewed. Confidence has returned because he has assurance the Lord has “heard and received” his prayers. All who strive to live faithfully have this same promise (2 Pet. 3:10-12). David has real confidence now, but his enemies continue in their self-decpetion. David had been “dismayed” in his troubles and sins, but his spiritual enemies will be “suddenly ashamed and greatly dismayed” when the Lord comes for them. Who do you think will prosper over the long run of life? Who will prosper with eternity in view?
Some today don't want the struggle like David. But they fail to realize that in this world we all have our struggles, whether saint or sinner. Surely righteous David did suffer much, but he suffered with the hope of help in overcoming sin, adversity and his adversaries. Always see that the wicked suffer as well. They suffer in - and remain in - sin. They have more adversity and more consequences of sin because they practice it more. And some of the enemies that they fight are the righteous whom God helps. The question is not “will we suffer?” – for all on earth will. But why, and with what resources behind us will we suffer? Let David by our example of tender conscience and pleading prayer in every trouble that besets us so that we might find the grace and mercy to give us strength and help in the time of need.