YEAR 1, WEEK 6, Day 7, Sunday, 11 February 2024

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=psalm+6

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 11 February 2024:

Psalm 6:1 – O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.

This is what we want from God; are we willing to give this type of grace to others?

Psalm 6:4 — Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

When suffering from circumstances out of your control, from persecution, from the consequences of your own sins, or for any other reason, there is only one place you should turn:  to the Lord.  Don’t rely on your own wisdom and understanding or on that of others around you.  Don’t simply complain and play the victim, and don’t seek some form of escapism, like entertainment, food, or alcohol.  Turn to the Lord.  Pray for His forgiveness, mercy, grace, comfort, and help.  Remember, His ultimate purpose for you is to draw you closer to Him and to conform your character to Christ’s.  If you seek His purposes through your suffering, He will not deny you.   

Psalm 6:8, 9 – Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.  The Lord has heard my plea. 

When persecuted, don’t try to take matters into your own hands.  Turn to the Lord, and wait on Him to deliver you.  God will hear your prayer and do only what is very best.  Again, you cannot know what is very best from your very limited perspective and understanding.  God knows what you cannot know.  God can do what you cannot do.  When you try to act from your perspective, you only add to sin and make matters worse.  Be patient and persevere through persecution.  Trust and obey and watch what God will do.  When He sees you through, you will grow in faith and have more strength to follow Him than you did before.

“The Lord has heard my plea.  The Lord accepts my prayer.” Like most of the Psalms, Psalm 6 begins with lamenting and ends with confident praise.  When life feels overwhelming, remind yourself of God’s perfect love for you and trust in Him – “Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; me for the sake of your steadfast love.”

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 11 February 2024:  Bring your trouble and concerns to the Lord today in prayer, and trust Him. “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)