Devotion by Monty Sholund, Founder, Village Schools of the Bible
Hello, my friend. Many of [our] students admit they had never read the Psalms through, until they came to our Cover-to-Cover Class. We are so inclined to look here and there in the Scriptures for a helpful verse, or to read some familiar passage, but there are treasures to be found, if we dig for them. As Jeremiah shouted, “Thy Words were found and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart, for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts, as the old King James Version powerfully states (15:16). “Your Words were found”…. by my searching, my seeking God, my digging into the Book. Shame on us for being content with just a few pleasant verses, chosen at random here and there. What a blessing to dig with you into the heart of the Word of God.
Now our reading for today is PSALM 6. I think this is one of the most candid looks into the anguished heart of David, when he was in turmoil with his son, Absalom, and in the struggles of his kingdom. Notice how absolutely open he is in saying, in vs. 2, “Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony, my soul is in anguish, How long, O Lord, how long.” What a cry from the heart of a man in some terrible situation, with both body and soul in agony. Ever felt like that? Sometimes suffering of mind and spirit is even worse than suffering in the body because it seems relentless in its effect on every day’s activities. David’s anguish was very great, as he cries in vs.6, “I am worn out from groaning, I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” In all of Scripture, I think this is surely one of the strongest expression of deep human despair.
But then, he affirms his faith in vs. 9, “The Lord has heard my cry for mercy.” In other words, if we can be convinced of that truth we can be quietly confident that what is best for us He will provide. It may seem anomalous, even ridiculous to say that God has answered my prayer for help, when my problems continue to assault me. But that is what commitment is all about. It is easy to trust in the Lord when things are smooth and pleasant, it is proof of the quality of my faith when I trust Him when my heart cries, “How long, O Lord, how long?” It is no wonder that David was entrusted with these great treasures of inspired Scripture. Even as He trusted the Lord in the dark, so God could entrust Him with these great Psalms which shine with the Lord’s presence and from which we can learn to reflect God’s glory as well, in darkness or sunshine.
“Thank you, Lord, for this startling chapter which opens up so clearly the depth of the suffering of a great man of God. May we find encouragement here, Lord, even as we experience testing, from time to time. Remind us that you have only one Son without sin, but you have no sons without suffering. Bless that one who senses, Lord, a heart affinity with King David, and with you, Lord Jesus. Bless each one who is along, that we all may be prepared to trust you fully.”
Thank you, partner, for being here with me. Cheerio! Love, Monty
Village Schools of the Bible 