A time of reckoning has come.

Accounting for our actions and sins has pressed in upon us. There will be pain, despondency, possible death, and deliverance. But no matter where we find ourselves, the road to penitence may be the only way to get there.

Psalm 6 is a penitential lament, a psalm of discipline from God to David.  David finds his lament focused on getting through his grief in his sins and to seek the other side of penance in order to glorify the Lord.

We should be wise to follow David in our own laments over the sins we have against the Lord and man. We should seek out a form of penance in the manner of repentance and a turning away from sin.

O LORD, rebuke me knot in your anger, 

not discipline me in your wrath.

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;

heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. 

My soul also is greatly troubled.

But you, O LORD- how long?  Psalm 6:1-3 ESV

The LORD here is Jehovah, the most holy of names, YHWH. David calls upon the most powerful name of the Lord. He asks for Him to rebuke and chasten him like a loving father would do for his son. We see how David looks to God for direction and healing all the while preparing to stand for truth and firm in faith.

David faced death from the onset of his anointment as king and saw death for what it was… a liar. Death lies in its finality. David sees past this and knows that there is life beyond the here and now. But in the meantime, David wants to live up to the task that the Lord placed before him. He calls on Him to “deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love” vs. 4. Death is worthless if it’s not for the Lord.

David becomes worn out from life on the run and despondent from fear of man, and the Lord’s wrath. Instead of running and hiding further from God, David draws near to Him. He admits his grief in weeping. He doesn’t hold back his anguish.

And in the penance of lament, David finds deliverance.

The LORD has heard my plea;

the LORD accepts my prayer. vs. 9

From suffering to joy! The Lord healed David! He can also heal you, heal me. We can glorify the Lord in our laments and sufferings just as David did throughout his time as king and servant of the Lord.

When we become a follower of Jesus Christ we don’t remain the same. We live a changed life. When we face trials or find ourselves in sin, we need to remember to turn away. It is a must that we seek out a turning away from the bonds of the world and truly walk in a way pleasing to God. We must walk in that new life He gave us at our rebirth.

The love and obedience of our hearts is all that God wants. Let us always be mindful and seek Him out in all things.