A prayer for mercy, Psalm 6 Reflection
Though this Psalm by David is sometimes classified as a morning prayer, it applies to every moment throughout the day. Even when we are restricted from church and places of worship, we know that we have direct access to God.
Psalm 6: 1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am weak; heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking; 3 my whole being is shaken with terror. And you, Lord— how long? 4 Turn, Lord! Rescue me; save me because of your faithful love. 5 For there is no remembrance of you in death; who can thank you in Sheol? 6 I am weary from my groaning; with my tears I dampen my bed and drench my couch every night. 7 My eyes are swollen from grief; they grow old because of all my enemies. 8 Depart from me, all evildoers, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my plea for help; the Lord accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be ashamed and shake with terror; they will turn back and suddenly be disgraced.
David experienced deep depression for various reasons. Like Elijah he became physically and psychologically exhausted at times, especially when Saul was trying to take his life.
David also suffered depression with spiritual causes (Ps 42-43). His sensitive conscience caused deep conviction when he failed to trust God in desperate circumstances, or when he sinned against God as in the situation with Uriah and Bathsheba (Ps 51). Regardless of the cause of his sadness and depression David took his burden to the Lord and openly shared his deep feelings of grief and sadness. Consequently the Lord heard his prayer and he experienced healing.
Similar to David we can take comfort in knowing that when we approach the Lord with a repentant heart and sorrowful spirit that He will hear our plea for help, and accept that prayer. We at time may want to question, how long Lord? But know that sorrow doesn't last forever, and joy comes in the morning.
Our groaning of Covid19 won't last forever, we can trust that the Lord's grace is near.