PSALM 6 - THE WEEPING PROPHET

INTRODUCTION

Read Psalm 6

Humans love to complain. We complain when things aren't going right and we even complain when things are pretty good. We are never satisfied unless things are going our way. There is this old song from the late 70's by Evie Tornquist that always pricks my conscience about this.

Why complain about the way that you look,
Why complain about the scolding that you took.

Why complain when so many cannot run,
Why complain when you're having so much fun.

CHORUS

Just be thankful for the good things that you've got
Oh be thankful for the good things that you've got.
The good things that you've got are for many just a dream.
So be thankful for the good things that you've got.

Why complain about your clothes and your shoes,
Why complain about your teacher and her rules.
Why complain when so many have no home,
Why complain when you have one of your own.

I have to confess I am a bit of a complainer, a weeper, and the Lord and I have `little chats' about this. But that's why I like this psalm. I am in good company with David and my other bible friend Jeremiah. Both these great men of God liked to share their problems - their true feelings, often with lots of tears.  Some might call this `complaining' - personally I call it being honest with God.

In August 1930, 40 year old Joseph Crater, a well known judge in New York, waved goodbye to his friends after an evening meal in a restaurant.  He flagged down a taxi and rode off, never to be seen again. He left a note with his wife. It simply said: `I am weary'.

This is the story of an honest, desperate man, not unlike David and maybe yourself. For David this psalm was a lamentation, as a worn out man was sobbing openly and honestly, seeking the mercy of a God in whom he trusted.  Yet, it finishes, like most of David's psalms, with confident words of joy and thanksgiving.

Many years later Jeremiah may have been reading this psalm when he was lamenting over the state of  Jerusalem. He, like David was seeking the Lord's grace and salvation for himself and his people.

A number of years ago now, I sat on a plane, on the way to my step-mother's funeral.  I was weeping and complaining, reminded again of the words of Evie's song. I was feeling alone and wondering why Mark had decided that he and Aaron would not accompany me on this trip.  I didn't understand why as Mark was usually so compassionate, and as a family we had always gone through things together. So I decided to `have a little chat with my Father', and as I looked out the window of the plane, I saw in the clouds the face of God  and His hands reaching out to me.  I had learnt, like David and Jeremiah, how important it was to bring to God all my deepest feelings, even if it meant a little weeping and complaining.  I knew, like David and Jeremiah, that I had a God who was always there to listen and care.

HAVE A LITTLE CHAT

Have a little chat with the Father, it can really be lots of fun.

He loves to talk and listen too, when He's sitting there with His Son.

Have a little chat with the Father, each and every day.

It's amazing how peaceful you feel, as He listens when you pray.

Have a little chat with the Father, conversation is a two way thing

I can tell you from experience, it has a lot of joy to bring.

Our relationship with God, our Father can only grow with prayer

So take a little time each day to listen and talk - just SHARE!

1. a) What has you a little weary and tearful? Pray - be honest with your feelings, with confidence in a God who listens and cares.

ANSWERS TO OUR WEARINESS.

Read Psalm 6:1-3; Lamentations 3:1-40

We already know a lot about David's life.  A shepherd boy who became a king. We know of his indiscretions, mistakes and failures.In no way do we applaud what David did; but now as he prays to God, crying out in remorse and repentance, we can feel for him.  He had faced the consequences of his actions, and now he was seeking the Lord's mercy.

Like David, we can bring our physical pain and the `anguishes' of our `soul' to God and ask Him the question:

 "How long, oh Lord, until you restore me?'  Psalm 6:3 (NLT)

Oh I believe David actually knew the answer.  He may not have had any concept of time, but he knew God would restore him, because He was a God of unfailing love and mercy.

"Return, O Lord and rescue me.  Save me because of your unfailing love." Psalm 6:4 (NLT)

"The unfailing love of the Lord never ceases. By His mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is Thy faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh everyday." 

 Lamentations 3:22&23 (NLT)

Lamentations is a book of Jeremiah's complaints and `weeping'. After seeing the destruction of Jerusalem he had prophecied about, these verses in Chapter 3, are verses of encouragement and hope.  David and Jeremiah both knew that God's love and mercy were everlasting.  They knew when faced with the need to `test and examine' our ways, we can turn and repent, and God will be merciful.

"Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord." Lamentations 3:40 (NLT)

2. Can you remember a time in your life after you have done something against God's will?  Did you,  at that time still have a certainty of God's presence, his mercy and his everlasting love? How?

TRUE REPENTANCE AND GOD'S GRACE

Psalm 6:6&7

David was `weary from sobbing'. He had been seeking forgiveness for his sins, and now knew that healing from both physical and spiritual ailments only came one way - through the GRACE OF GOD. 

Many hymns and modern day songs have been written about this `amazing grace', but this song of David was one of the first.  David knew, like our olden day and modern day composers do, that `chains' are only `broken' and `salvation' only made available through God's mercy and our true repentance.

"Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;

Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee."

  Charles Wesley

"My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace."
  Chris Tomlin & Louie Giglio.

3. Do you have a favourite hymn, song or passage in the Bible that you read, or listen to, when you need a reminder of God's grace?


FREEDOM FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

Read Psalm 6:8-10,  Jeremiah 3:11-15

In these final three verses, David experiences `freedom'. No longer in the grip of evil and sin, he was able to pray in confidence:

"He has heard my supplications and He will receive my prayer."  Psalm 6:9 (NIV)

But it didn't stop there.  Having experienced this freedom for himself, he wanted the same for others, even his enemies.  He prayed in confidence, knowing that God was a merciful and righteous judge.

Sometimes our evil deeds need to be brought before us.  We may not come to repentance unless we are `disgraced and terrified'.  John Newton, the writer of the well know hymn, `Amazing Grace' was a slave trader. Before he could truly accept God's grace and mercy he needed to see the error of his ways; and this didn't happen quickly or easily - it took many years of challenges and near death experiences.  When he finally felt remorse for his actions and sought repentance, he was overcome with a sense of freedom, which later led to a life of service in the Church of England.

"I was a great sinner, but now Jesus Christ is my Saviour."  John Newton.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found, Was blind, but now I see". John Newton.

Jeremiah was known as the `weeping prophet', not only because he suffered at the hands of his enemies; but he, like David, had mourned for them.  God had given him a mission: `Bring my people back to me'. To do this he had to show them the error of their ways.  He had to encourage them, until they could `admit' their rebellion, confess their sins and return home like `wayward children'.  They needed to let go of their pride and accept salvation and the leading of the Lord.  Does this sound familiar?

4. Is there something in your life that is preventing you from accepting salvation from the Lord and following His way?

WHAT DOES PETER HAVE TO SAY ABOUT REPENTANCE?

Read Acts 3:1-26

Repentance is not just `turning from sin', but true repentance results in a CHANGE OF LIFE, and is the ONLY WAY TO SALVATION.  David and Jeremiah knew this, and so did Peter when he spoke in the temple to the Jews many years later.

"Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2:38 (NLT)

"Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so can be cleansed from your sins. Then wonderful times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord."  Acts 3:19 (NLT)

In this sermon in Acts 3, Peter was telling the people they needed to change their thoughts and actions. They had to turn from rejecting Christ to having true faith in Him, as their Messiah and Saviour.  Yet repentance is not a work that earns salvation, repentance comes from God's grace.  When God draws us near to Him, opens our eyes and changes our hearts, only then do we have salvation. Only then can the Holy Spirit touch our lives and make is willing to serve Him only. 

"The Lord isn't slow to do what He promised, as some people think. Rather, her is patient for your sake. He doesn't want to destroy anyone, but wants everyone to have the opportunity to turn to Him and change the way they think and act." 2 Peter 3:9  (GWT)

"Do you have contempt for God, who is very kind to you, puts up with you and deals patiently with you? Don't you realize that it is God's kindness that is trying yo lead you to Him and to change the way you acand think."  Romans 2:4  (GWT)

CONCLUSION

Whether it is with weeping or complaining, or any other way. It doesn't matter to God.  He is patiently waiting for your confession and repentance of sins, those things in your life that are keeping you from Him.

He wants to SAVE YOU, through HIS LOVE AND MERCY.  But as David, Jeremiah. Peter or any modern preacher today would say, the FIRST STEP needs to come from YOU!!

* `Promises from God' (2001) Ruth Cheater.

* www.cyberhymal.org.

* www.gotquestions?.org

* "Holy Bible, New Living Translation"  (1996) Tyndale Publishers (NLT)

*   The New Matthew Henry Commentary, Edited by Martin H Manser, Zondervan

*   Max Lucado Devotional Bible, New Century Version  (2003), Thomas Nelson. (NCV)

*   "God's Word Translation" (2003) Green Key Publishers  (GWT)