We instinctively look for the approval of others but do not like their disapproval or corrections. Criticisms, though intended to be constructive, often discourages us and even pushes us to the extreme of withdrawing from our missions. Till the time we do not realize our mistakes, we won’t be ready for corrections. In other words, we assume that we are perfect and ignore God’s wisdom. Our perfection is nothing in the sight of God. Only when we realize that we are imperfect, we will heed His rebukes.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8

Have Mercy on Me

David was pouring out his heart’s pain to God because of the mistakes he committed. He realized the need for the corrective measures of God and pleaded unto Him not to treat him harshly because of his past mistakes. For David, even the thought of his mistakes gave great agony, and he became weak. Sinning weakens a person’s confidence and, in turn, affects their health. David was aware of this and asked God for His mercy.

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your wrath.

Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint;
heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

Psalms 6:1-2

Do we realize the gentle rebuke of our God while we are sick and weak? Instead of weighing our deeds as perfect, we should open our hearts to understand what God wants to teach us through difficult times. Here David’s request to God for mercy, shows his submission. Are we submitting ourselves to God irrespective of our worthiness or unworthiness?

Save Me

My soul is in deep anguish.
How long, LORD, how long?

Turn, LORD, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalms 6:3-4

David missed the fellowship of God, but fortunately, he realized His absence immediately. His sensitivity to feel the lack of God’s presence was active amidst the days of agony. When time passes on, we may be accustomed to the vacuum and will not be able to seek His presence again. David could still seek God for his deliverance because He understood the unfailing love of God. Fooled by the conditional love of people living with us, we fail to understand God’s, agape love. If we ask God to help us understand His love, God will open our spiritual eyes to see His love beyond the vanity of this world. His love protects us from every danger and leads us on the path of righteousness till we see our God face to face.

A Dreadful Death

David was aware that if he did not reconcile with God in his lifetime, he would never be able to call on His name or even praise Him. This thought urged him to call upon God despite his unworthiness. He was very much aware of the eternal death and pondered it on his bed. As a result, he cried and drenched his couch with tears.

Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?
I am worn out from my groaning.
All night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.

My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

Psalms 6:5-7

Are we utilizing the given lifetime to earn our reward of eternity, or are we wasting it by pondering about our eternal death? Are we wasting our time by reminding ourselves of the hurts we received from others and keep tormenting our hearts? The more we think about our enemies and failures, the more we grow weak, and we will be progressing towards our eternal death. David chooses to pour out his heart in the presence of God during his bedtime, setting apart his worldly worries. If we sincerely pour out our heart in the presence of God, tears will roll down from our eyes, thereby cleansing our eyes to see our Saviour.

More than Conquerors

David traded his doubts for eternal life and believed the audience of his prayers and received the answers. He was able to foresee the fall of his enemies as an answer to his prayer.

Away from me, all you who do evil,
for the LORD has heard my weeping.
The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
the LORD accepts my prayer.

All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;
they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalms 6:8-10

Usually, when people come against us, we are not able to pray because of our built-up anger and frustration, and we struggle for words. Nightmares haunt us, and we are unable to sleep because of our enemies. Even if we pray, we feel that our prayers are unheard. When thinking that our prayers are not heard, expecting an answer for our prayers is out of the question. When we do not receive answers for our prayers, we fear our enemies and spend our lifetime formulating strategies to face the threats of our enemies.

David believed that his prayers were answered because he felt the fear and anxieties that prevented him from connecting to God, rolling away as he poured out his heart to reconcile himself with His maker. Unlike David’s time, presently we are reconciled with our God through Jesus Christ. If we understand this reconciliation, no power of this world can block our prayers from reaching our Father. In the same way, nothing can stop the answers for our prayers, and we will be the conquerors through God who loves us and answers our prayers.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:37-39