the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Psalms 6:1-10
The trials through which a believer passes are sometimes the direct result of his own mistakes. Then he comes under the governmental dealing of God, who corrects and chastises him (v. 1; cf. Jeremiah 31:18). This was the case with David after the terrible affair of Uriah the Hittite and also after the numbering of the people. There can then be no question of gladness and peace, as in Psalms 4:7-8. Instead of communing with his heart upon his bed (Psalms 4:4), the guilty man soaks his bed with bitter tears (v. 6). Knowing that he deserves what is meted out to him, he is pursued by regrets and by the realisation of having offended God. The fear of death can even take hold of his soul (v. 5). He no longer enjoys the happy liberty which flows from a good conscience. Nevertheless, even in such cases God may be found, for He loves His redeemed one too much to leave him in despair; He hears his supplication and receives his prayer (v. 9). In the same way He speaks to Hezekiah, tormented on his bed by the anticipation of death, with this comforting word, "I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears . . . I will deliver thee . . . Isaiah 38:5-6; cf. v. 5 with Isaiah 38:18. Yes, suddenly David receives the assurance that his prayer is granted. Circumstances have not changed, but now his faith triumphs in hope.
