Studies in Psalms- Psalm 6

Reacting To the Lord's Discipline

It’s easy to look out at the world around us and see the depths of sin that runs rampant. It’s even easy to look at those closest to us; family, friends, and even fellow church members and observe their sins. But what about ourselves? Do we see the brokenness and the sin in our own life? Romans 3:23 says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Peter tells us that “the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household” and this certainly must apply to self. Psalm 6 is known as a penitential psalm, one of seven found in the Bible. These are psalms in which the writer is experiencing discipline and suffering related to their sin.

While many Christians are uncomfortable with the idea that sometimes suffering is a result of our own sin, the truth of God’s Word is that God does discipline His children. Hebrews 12:4-6 explains this truth, saying that “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

If you are God’s, He will not let you just rest in your sin. Like any good father, He wants what’s best for you. Discipline is good for us. But God’s discipline can be hard. Here we find David crying out to God in response to His discipline.

Psalm 6:1-3

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?

Yes, God’s discipline can seem unbearable. We see that it can bring pain and sickness to us. So, what do we do when we are under God’s hand of discipline? Confess, repent, and then go to Him in prayer seeking His grace.

David knows he must turn to God in this time, not turn away.

Psalm 6:4-5
Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?

Unlike us, David did not have access to all the promises of scripture, so he expected his death would separate Him from God. But we know that Jesus has overcome the grave and for those who put faith in Christ’s sacrifice, death will bring us to God, not take us away.

Again, notice the depths of David’s sorrow.

Psalm 6:6-7
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.

But David hears from God in this prayer. He sees the coming dawn after the storm.

Psalm 6:8-10
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.

If you are Christ’s, then God does hear your plea. He will accept your prayer. But God will allow the work of his discipline accomplish His will. He will move in His time, for our Father knows just exactly what it is we need to grow in our suffering.

Sometime it seems as if Satan has beaten you. He has not. Because of what Jesus accomplished at the cross we can know that Satan is but a tool in the hand of God. He can only go as far as God allows him to. Colossians 2:13-15 explains that you, “who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

Our sins are forgiven. But for our own good we still must face the consequences of our sin and we must accept the discipline of the Lord as necessary to help us grow more like Christ. The devil and his demons cannot harm you. For a better understanding read the Book of Job. In the end, God restored everything Satan took and blessed him even more. But we must trust the work of our Father. The next time you face adversity instead of asking, “why is this happening?”, ask “What dear Father, will you do in this that will make me more like Jesus and bring glory to God.”

Studies in Psalms - Psalm 5

The Holiness of God and His Hatred for Sin

Psalm 5 is another morning prayer. Another reminder that the very first action we should take each morning is to seek the Lord first thing. Notice that the author asks God to hear his groaning and his cry. Most likely this is a psalm of David and certainly David faced many difficult mornings in his life. Even so, David, as we should as well, knew he should seek God’s counsel in how he could devote each day to God.

Psalm 5:1-3

Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Evil and deceitful men were David’s enemy, and we also live in a dangerous world where evil seeks to destroy our joy. Some who fail to understand the full nature of God are appalled by the idea that someone might say that God hates. After all, He is love. But the truth of who God is reveals to us that God’s greatest attribute is His holiness. God possesses a holy nature that so far transcends anything we have ever known in this world and because of this holiness, He cannot tolerate sin. David is speaking of the holiness of God and the hatred God carries for sin here. This is one of the imprecatory prayers we see in scripture and it is not sinful to hate sin. The men David is praying against here are those in complete rebellion to God. When someone sins against us they are also sinning against God. They are in rebellion against their very creator.

Psalm 5:4-6
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

As Christians, it is not our mission to be the executor of punishment to the evil people in the world. Ours, according to Jesus, is to love them, pray for them, and to share the Gospel with them. But with a delicate balance, being careful of our motive, we are still to take a stand against those who completely reject God and live in complete rebellion in league with Satan. Romans 13 explains that God put government into place to wield the sword against lawlessness, so unless God has placed us in one of those positions, we must stay in concert with the Great Commission. But like David, we must not be partnered with evil. Nor should we be silent in its condemnation.

Because of His holiness, God must deal with sin. And He will. But in His time and in His way. We can rest and find peace in our lives despite the violence and the debauchery we see running amok in the world by simply trusting by faith in the truth that God will recompense.

Hebrews 10:30-31 reminds us saying, “For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” And then Revelation 22:12 is the very words of Jesus, Himself, who says,“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” God is not just letting evil go unpunished.

So, is it okay for Christians to pray these imprecatory prayers such as we see here?

Psalm 5:9-10
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

Yes, but only if it is out of a pure heart that has its only motive that God be respected in His Holiness.

But what about us? Even Christians are still sinners. How can we have joy when we also so often violate the holiness of God?

The answer is within the end of the psalm.

Psalm 5:11-12
 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

The answer is Jesus. Take refuge in Him. Sing for joy as the blood of Christ is spread over you as your protection. Exult His name for He has covered you with favor as a shield. That shield is Christ. That is our only hope.

Studies in Psalms - Psalm 4

PSALM 4 - How To Sleep Well

In Psalm 3 we found a morning prayer in which we see how to start off the day facing the difficulties of life. Psalm 4 is the evening counterpart of Psalm 3. We know that the days we face are often difficult, even to those who faithfully follow the ways of Christ. Christians are not promised lives of ease, actually, quite the opposite. Jesus told us this in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” The promise is that we can have peace despite anything the world throws at us. But take notice that Jesus said “in me you may have peace.” He has overcome the world, not us.

So, in Psalm 4 we find a prayer for the evening. And in this prayer, are several commandments in which we must obey if we are to be “in Christ.”

We see that David begins his prayer with questions. It’s ok to go to our Father after a hard day and let Him know we are struggling.

Psalm 4:1-2

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

David remembers how God has helped Him in the past and he refuses to compromise with those who love “vain words” and “seek after lies.” How familiar does that sound to us today? As Christians, the world and its satanic-led media is on constant attack against the truth of God’s Holy Word.

In the next verse, I cannot help but picture David in prayerful communication with God and as He prays, God’s Spirit is speaking to his heart. David is reminded of God’s grace and God’s mercy.

Psalm 4:3
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Again, a reminder to us as Christians that God has called us out of the world to be set apart for Himself. We are to be different. We are not to compromise and tolerate the sinful life the world is trying to force down our throats. God hears our prayers when we commit to the holiness of His commands. So, we stand with God and His Holy law. Sometimes we will battle with our anger at the enemy. Next we find a list of commands to follow and to pray for as we end the day.

Psalm 4:4-5
 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

First of all, be angry but in that anger, do not sin. Paul echoes this in Ephesians 4:26 and reminds us not to let the sun go down on our anger. Take it to God and leave it with Him. Then you can rest and sleep in peace.

Search your own heart. Before going to bed take a hard look at yourself. Be honest and you will see that you have your own sins to repent and confess. Maybe you hurt someone and their sleep will be disturbed. Maybe a quick word of kindness and confession to someone before bed will give both of you a better night’s sleep.

Be silent. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of any sins and then just quietly let Him speak to you. God often speaks quietly to us in whispers but we don’t hear because we are too busy talking.

Offer right sacrifices. Maybe in that quiet time God has spoken on how you can serve Him best. What better things to think on as you go to sleep then how tomorrow you can serve God?

And finally. Trust the Lord. This is what faith is. In this quiet prayer allow God’s Holy Spirit to remind you of how great God’s provision really is. Ask Him for more faith.

David begins to wrap up here and he says this in verses6-7.

 
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In other words, praise God, for His gifts are far greater than what the world and its stuff have to offer.

Then take your nightly rest in Christ. You can trust Him and if you do peace that transcends all understanding will come.

Psalm 4:8
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Rest in Him.