The Vale of Tears
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, how thankful I am that You hear my prayers and answer from Your great wisdom and love.
Read Psalm 6:1-10
[1] For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. [2] Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. [3] My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long? [4] Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. [5] Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? [6] I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. [7] My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. [8] Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping. [9] The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. [10] All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is the change at the end of this psalm?There is a hinge at the heart of this psalm. In verse 4, David prays that the Lord will “turn” to him and deliver him and save him because of his “unfailing love.” David is in agony. Note just how graphic and physical his language is: “my bones are in agony” (2); “I am worn out from groaning” and “all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears” (6). Yet, by the end of the psalm he clearly feels that the Lord has, indeed, turned to him and accepted his prayer. It’s an amazing thought that we all too easily take for granted: our God turns towards those who call upon him. He is not implacable or immovable; he is not deaf: he responds to those who call upon him. In grace and love, he turns to those who cry out to him. He turns to us, so that our tears can turn to laughter. What will not change about God is the thing that matters most to us: his “unfailing love.” He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Apply
“How priceless is your unfailing love!” Make these words of praise from Psalm 36:7 your own and praise God now.
Closing prayer
Lord, help me remember that when I face trying situations, I can call on You and You’ll be there for me.
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