“To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.” Psalm 6:1
Devotion:
There are times in our lives when people come up against us, but deep down we know that it isn’t an indication that they are fundamentally against us. Actually, it is proof that they are fundamentally for us. But usually, when someone comes against us, we can tell the difference whether it is out of love or out of disdain.
As Psalm 6 opens up, the two key phrases in verse 1 are “in your anger,” and “in your wrath.” David is fully aware that as a sinful human being, walking with God as His Father, he will be rebuked and disciplined. But his plea is for God not to do these things in a way that is fundamentally against David. But why is David praying this? Because naturally, this is what sin deserves. When we break God’s law, we are rebelling against Him and committing treason against His government. So, if God were to interact with us according to justice, then we would face Him in His anger and in His wrath. But David humbly asks for grace and mercy. He isn’t afraid of God’s rebuke or discipline, as long as he knows that God is for him.
And this is why the cross of Jesus Christ is so precious to those who believe in Him. It is an immediate answer to this prayer. God, as our Father, will rebuke us and discipline us. But if we are in Christ, then He will never do it “in His wrath.” We can expect that, even when we need to be corrected, God will always face us with a heart of love. We still pray this prayer in humility, but the Spirit draws our eyes to the cross of Christ through which we see the heart of God. The cross screams that God is for us.
Prayer:
Lord, when we are honest with ourselves and with You, we know that we fail You often. If it weren’t for Your mercy, we would stand condemned. Lift our eyes to see the cross, for when we look at the cross, we see the seriousness of our sin and the depth of Your love for sinners.
We are not here to avoid Your Fatherly correction. In the moment, it is never easy, but we have learned the value of it. But we are here pleading that You would discipline us in Your love and never in Your wrath. And even as we pray this, we are filled with thankfulness that we already know the answer. You have guaranteed it to us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thank You, thank You, thank You! In Jesus’ name, we worship and pray. Amen.
