Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Ps 6:2 and following. Indeed, the trials of the believer are sometimes the direct consequence of his faults. He is then under the government of God, who takes him back and chastises him (Jer 31:18-20). This was the case of David after the terrible affair of Uriah the Hethian, and also after the count. It can no longer be a question of joy and peace as in Psalm 4. Instead of meditating in his heart on his bed, the culprit soaks his bed in bitter tears. Knowing that he has deserved what is happening to him, he is pursued by regrets and by the feeling of having offended God. The fear of death can even take hold of his soul. He no longer has the happy freedom that a good conscience gives. Yet in this case too God can be found, for He loves his redeemed too much to leave him in despair; He hears her plea and receives her prayer. Like Hezekiah, tormented on his bed by the prospect of death, He addressed this consoling word to him: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears… I will deliver you…” (Isaiah 38.5). Yes, suddenly David receives the assurance that his prayer is answered. Circumstances have not changed, but already his faith is triumphing in hope.
For the calamity that David is now experiencing may have been inflicted by men, but he wisely considers that he must deal with God. These people are very badly exercised under their afflictions who do not immediately take a close and stable vision of their sins, in order to produce the conviction that they have deserved the wrath of God. And yet we see how almost all men are thoughtless and insensitive about it; for while they cry out that they are afflicted and miserable, barely one in a hundred looks at the striking hand. Where do our afflictions come from, let us learn to instantly turn our thoughts to God, and to recognize Him as the Judge who summons us as guilty before his court, since we, on our own initiative, do not anticipate his judgment. But as men, when they are compelled to feel that God is angry with them, often indulge in complaints full of impiety, rather than complaining about themselves and their own sins, it is worth noting in particular that David does not simply attribute to God the afflictions under which he now suffers, but recognizes that they are the just reward for his sins.
He does not take charge of God as if he had been an enemy, treating him cruelly without any just cause; but yielding to him the right to reprimand and chastise, he desires and prays only that limits be set on the punishment inflicted on him. By this, he declares that God is a just judge to take revenge for the sins of men. But as soon as he confesses to having been rightly reprimanded, he sincerely begs God not to deal with him strictly or according to the rigor of the law. He does not completely refuse punishment, for that would be unreasonable; and to do without it, he judged would be more hurtful than beneficial for him: but what he is afraid of is the wrath of God, which threatens sinners with ruin and perdition. For to anger and indignation, David tacitly opposes the paternal and gentle punishment, and the latter that he was willing to bear. We have a similar contrast in Jeremiah’s words (Jer 10.24): “Chastise me, O Lord! but with fairness, and not in your anger, lest you annihilate me. »
Indeed, it is said that God is angry with sinners every time He inflicts punishment on them, for not only does He mix in it some of the sweetness of His grace to alleviate their sorrow, but also shows Himself favorable to them, moderating their punishment, and mercifully withdrawing His hand. And since we must necessarily be struck with terror every time he shows revenge for wickedness, it is not without reason that David, according to the meaning of the flesh, is afraid of his anger and indignation. The meaning, then, is as follows: I confess, indeed, O Lord, that I deserve to be destroyed and reduced to nothing; but as I could not bear the severity of your wrath, do not treat me according to my deserts, but rather forgive my sins, by which I have provoked your anger against me. As often as we are pressed by adversity, let us learn by the example of David to resort to this remedy, in order to be brought in peace with God; for it should not be expected to be good or prosperous with us if we are not interested in its favor. Hence, He follows, that we will never be without a load of evils, until He forgives us our sins.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
Don’t chastise me in your anger:
· Wrath of God
Ex 4:14 Then the wrath of Jehovah ignited against Moses, and he said, Is there not your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know he will speak easily. Here he is himself, who comes before you; and when he sees you, he will rejoice in his heart. Jos 7:1 The children of Israel committed infidelity about things devoted by forbidden. Acan, son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerach, of the tribe of Judah, took devoted things. And the wrath of Jehovah ignited against the children of Israel. Jg 2:14 Jehovah’s wrath was ignited against Israel. He delivered them into the hands of looters who plundered them, he sold them into the hands of their surrounding enemies, and they could no longer resist their enemies. 2 Kings 13:3 The wrath of Jehovah ignited against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of Hazael, king of Syria, and into the hands of Ben Hadad, son of Hazael, all the time these kings lived. Ps 7:12 God is a just judge, God is irritated at all times.
· Imploring Mercy
Dt 21:8 Forgive, O Lord! to your people of Israel, whom you have redeemed; do not impute innocent blood to your people of Israel, and this blood shall not be imputed to them. 1 Kings 8:30 Deign to answer the supplication of your servant and your people of Israel when they pray in this place! Answer the place of your abode, the heavens, answer and forgive! Ps 6:3 Have mercy on me, Lord! for I am powerless; Heal me, Eternal! for my bones are trembling. Ps 119:77 May your compassions come upon me, that I may live! For your law makes my delights. Lk 18:13 The publican, standing at a distance, did not even dare to roll his eyes; but he beat his chest, saying, O God, be appeased towards me, who is a sinner.
· Deliverance sought by the psalmist king
Ps 25:20 Keep my soul and save me! Let me not be confused, When I seek my refuge with you! Ps 119:134 Deliver me from the oppression of men, that I may keep your ordinances! Ps 140:2 Eternal, deliver me from wicked men! Protect me from violent men. Ps 143:9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! With you I seek refuge. Ps 144:11 Deliver me and save me from the hand of the sons of the stranger, Whose mouth professes falsehood, And whose right is a false right!…
· Imprecations
2 Kings 1:10 Elijah answered the leader of fifty: If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men! And the fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men. Ps 109.6 Place him under the authority of a wicked man, And let an accuser stand to his right! Acts 23:3 Then Paul said to him, “God shall strike you, wall whitewashed! You sit to judge me according to the law, and you violate the law by ordering that I be beaten! Gal 1:9 We have said it before, and I repeat it at this hour: if anyone proclaims to you a gospel other than the one you have received, let him be anathema!
From all of the above, we note yet another night meditation. But the soul of King David is in a deeper affliction than in Psalm 5. Symbolically, it is midnight; the pious man asks to be delivered from the tomb. He invokes divine help against the power of death: indeed, if death were to have the last word, God would be forgotten; for he is not the God of the dead (Isaiah 38). But there is also, as in Psalm 5, the anticipation of the same deliverance and the same victory. All these psalms clearly suggest that the pious man who raises his voice there goes through the last days of Israel’s affliction, and is on the eve of deliverance and the kingdom. And, in spirit, Jesus was going through those days. Here, the residue is placed on another ground: The faithful are oppressed, their souls are troubled, the greatness of their distress and the absence of a purified conscience, give rise in their overwhelmed minds to the fear that the Lord will turn against them in his wrath, and they ask that the latter not take them back in his anger and punish them in his fury, which they have well deserved as a nation, but about which the hearts of the redeemed implore mercy. They expect to be delivered by mercy and to be saved from death, and invite the wicked to withdraw, for Jehovah has heard their cry. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to react to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow ” the prayer of the just persecuted, David’s lament.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.