Book One (1:1-41:)

PRAYER: IN TIMES OF HURTING

Psalm 6:1-10

Reading: Pro 4:14-15

Songs: Flee As A Bird; Trust And Obey; Faith Is The Victory; Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Theme: remaining reliant on God in times of distress

INTRODUCTION

despair

A. How do we cope when our days are filled up with tears and sorrow over what is going on in our lives? Where can we turn for an answer about what to do?

B. The Psalms reflect the whole experience of life in most situation. The Psalms chronicle life from the spiritual victories to the spiritually, struggling lows. Therefore, they teach us how to spiritually strong in all circumstances. They are not always songs of happiness. Some of the psalms, such Psalm 6, remind us that sometimes life gets clouded over with difficulties. This Psalm is one of seven which are commonly called the Penitential Psalms (32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143).

C. Let’s examine David’s circumstances in seeking guidance for working through our emotions and for what to do, when we’re hurting.

I. CRYING WHILE WAITING FOR AN ANSWER (6:1-5).

The Petition

A. ... Have mercy upon me, O LORD ... (6:1-3).

1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician <05329> (8764) on Neginoth <05058> upon Sheminith <08067>, A Psalm <04210> of David <01732>.>> O LORD <03068>, rebuke <03198> (8686) me not in thine anger <0639>, neither chasten <03256> (8762) me in thy hot displeasure <02534>. {chief…: or, overseer} {Sheminith: or, the eighth}

2 Have mercy <02603> (8798) upon me, O LORD <03068>; for I am weak <0536>: O LORD <03068>, heal <07495> (8798) me; for my bones <06106> are vexed <0926> (8738).

3 My soul <05315> is also sore <03966> vexed <0926> (8738): but thou, O LORD <03068>, how long?

1. In this psalm, David was experiencing God’s rebuke or chastening (v 1).

a. This Psalm may have been written by David over his sin with Bathsheba; or as others think, in regard to a time of a serious illness.

b. Just as our Lord himself learned obedience in the things he suffered (Heb 5:8), our spiritual lives are sometimes molded by the events of our lives.

c. The writer of Hebrews informs us God chastens his children for their learning (Heb 12:6-7).

d. As we keep in close contact with God, particularly through the study of his spoken word and the application of it to our lives, we become consciously aware at times, that we are in need of rebuke for shortcomings.

(1) The rebuke of his word may be all we need (Heb 4:11-14).

(2) Sometimes we are further chastened by the physical results of our shortcomings.

(3) Let’s strive to let these keep us from sin, especially hidden sin, so that when the judgement begins, we’ll not be further chastised (1Co 11:28-32).

e. We can learn a lot about how to react in other relationships when we consider how we pray God will not react to us in our relationship with him.

(1) In calling on God for patience and for him to withhold his anger in disciplining us, let’s be consistent with what we desire of God for us, in disciplining:

(2) our children - though for their good let’s avoid the temptation to punish them in our anger (Eph 6:4).

(3) our friends - though upset with what they may have done to us or someone else whom we care about, let’s not allow our anger to build up a bearer between them and us.

(4) other people - let’s always leave room for teaching the gospel by word or example.

2. In this Psalm David seemed to be at the brink of declaring, “I can’t take much more of this in my life” (v 2)!

a. He was getting weak from the struggle.

(1) Have you ever felt like David?

(2) Job felt that way ().

(3) It is hard to be patient, to wait, to suffer quietly but we do receive some comfort knowing, even though God does seem to be slow, like relief will not come, that it is more than we can handle, God will not test us beyond our ability (1Co 10:13).

b. It is when we realize we are too weak of our own power to help ourselves that in turning to God, he is able to make us strong (cp. 2Co 12:8-10).

3. David wondered how long a wait he would have to endure before God responded with a favorable answer to the prayer (v 3).

a. Every faithful saint of God has probably wonder at some time, how long God would continue to wait before answering their prayer.

(1) A man visited with his dad and they talked about the Olympics. One of the dad’s complaints was that everything was about the United States, what they won and their athletes. The dad was from Holland, and was of course interested in the Dutch skaters. He said in American the question is “How fast?”, but in Holland it is “How long?” In Holland it is endurance that counts.

(2) In the United States we do tend to want things immediately. However, in prayer, prayer is not a service we’re paying for but a request we’re making. Consequently we must persist in prayer.

(3) The concept of endurance in prayer is illustrated for us by a parable told by Jesus as (Luk 18:2-8).

b. It is clear from David’s experience, that life soon dries up when we try to live it apart from God, when they give themselves to sin rather then to righteousness (cp. Psa 34:21).

4. The answer to patience while waiting upon the Lord is to cling to hope while pleading for deliverance. No matter what is our trial, affliction and sorrow in life, we never want to forget to open our mouths unto the Lord.

B. Return, O LORD, deliver my soul ... (6:4-5).

4 Return <07725> (8798), O LORD <03068>, deliver <02502> (8761) my soul <05315>: oh save <03467> (8685) me for thy mercies <02617>‘ sake.

5 For in death <04194> there is no remembrance <02143> of thee: in the grave <07585> who shall give thee thanks <03034> (8686)?

1. mercies, Strong’s - 02617. dox CHECED kheh’-sed; from 02616; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety: rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:— favour, good deed(-liness, —ness), kindly, (loving-)kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. Greek 964.

02617 dox checed kheh’-sed from 02616, Greek 964 bhyesda; TWOT-698a, 699a; n m AV-mercy 149, kindness 40, lovingkindness 30, goodness 12, kindly 5, merciful 4, favour 3, good 1, goodliness 1, pity 1, reproach 1, wicked thing 1; 248 1) goodness, kindness, faithfulness 2) a reproach, shame

a. David knew of God’s goodness, kindness, that he is ready to forgive and delights in mercy (cf. Deu 4:31; 2Ch 7:4).

2. “no remembrance of thee: in the grave” is not to suggest that we cease to be a death or that we remain soul sleeping, unconscious, until the resurrection (v 5).

a. The account of the rich man and Lazarus in Hades, proves the dead are conscious (Luk 16).

b. David’s intent, as Solomon wrote later was, “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead [bodies] know not any thing” (Ecc 9:5).

Transition: David’s cry was filled with despair.

II. CONFLICT FROM WAITING FOR AN ANSWER (6:6-7).

Weary

A. I am weary ... (6:6).

6 I am weary <03021> (8804) with my groaning <0585>; all the night <03915> make I my bed <04296> to swim <07811> (8686); I water <04529> (8686) my couch <06210> with my tears <01832>. {all…: or, every night}

1. David cried to the Lord all night long in prayer.

a. Despair seemed to have set in as confusion took him over.

b. When we feel like we’re all alone in our hurting, when confusion sets in, we can be assured that coming before God with a broken heart, having repented if need be, he hears us and is aware of every tear from our eyes (Psa 56:8).

c. God is ever aware of our condition and if we allow him, he is able to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Worn

B. Mine eye is consumed ... because of all mine enemies (6:7).

7 Mine eye <05869> is consumed <06244> (8804) because of grief <03708>; it waxeth old <06275> (8804) because of all mine enemies <06887> (8802).

1. David’s eyes were dim from crying, no boubt reddened from brushing away the tears.

2. It would seem that in addition to his other problems, his foes, seeing his condition, were also taunting him.

Transition: However, as with many Psalms of this type, the despair of the writer’s circumstances was turned relieved through reliance on his trust in God.

III. CONFIDENCE IN WAITING FOR AN ANSWER (6:8-10).

Conviction

A. ... the LORD will receive my prayer ... (6:8-9).

8 ¶ Depart <05493> (8798) from me, all ye workers <06466> (8802) of iniquity <0205>; ...

1. One of the best remedies to avoiding sin is to make a great separation between ourselves and the wicked, to take no fellowship with them at least, not while they are practicing their iniquity.

a. God created us as sociable creatures, but that will not excuse saints for their carelessness choice of the wicked with which to associate.

b. "Birds of a feather flock together."

c. If we don’t want to pick up the habits of the ungodly or to be labeled with the unfaithful, then we should spend less time with them, giving the preference to the faithful saints ().

8 ... for the LORD <03068> hath heard <08085> (8804) the voice <06963> of my weeping <01065>.

9 The LORD <03068> hath heard <08085> (8804) my supplication <08467>; the LORD <03068> will receive <03947> (8799) my prayer <08605>.

2. The psalmist three times expressed the strength of his faith and his confidence that his prayers being heard by God.

a. Though the struggles may linger, as in this Psalm, those who put their trust in the Lord, even in the midst of struggle are able to lay down to a reasonable night of sleep (Psa 4:8).

Certainty

B. Let all mine enemies be ashamed ... (6:10).

10 Let all mine enemies <0341> (8802) be ashamed <0954> (8799) and sore <03966> vexed <0926> (8735): let them return <07725> (8799) and be ashamed <0954> (8799) suddenly <07281>.

1. His confidence that his prayers would be heard by God also gave him confidence that God will deal with whatever had presented the struggle.

Conclusion:

Being sorry for ourselves will never give us spiritual victory. Psalm 6 is a reminder that regardless of the circumstances we face in life, there is always cause for us to sing praise to God. Let’s take care that when we are in distress, when we despair that we turn in confidence to God.

Other Sermon In This Series On Prayer

Persistence (Mat 7:7-12)

Other Sermons In This Series On Hurting

Sources:

Peter , The Hurting Christian - outline idea

in charity through Christ, Raymond Wiseman

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