Psalm 6 is a precious psalm. David expresses that depth of despair that sickness can do to a person.
Words like: weak, vexed, weary, groaning, tears and grief, have been my journey recently.
I've learned that telling someone to "rest" who has just told you how desperately they want to be back to normal and healthy, can feel like you were not even listened to.
I've learned that loneliness can be a blessing and loneliness can be a curse. It depends on what I allow in my thinking.
I've learned if my tears are cried out to the Lord and those who turn me to Him, I know the Lord will be my aid.
I've also learned if my tears are angry tears, my adversary wastes no time to bring me lower.
So, David rises above his sick bed (not literally!) by knowing truth and confessing it.
Psalm 6:8- Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
:9- The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer.
A lot is at stake in the battle for my mind.
Health is a wonderful thing!! It is taken for granted by the healthy and very under-appreciated, in my humble opinion.
It is most valued by those who have either had it taken away and never regained or those who for a season lost it.
Psalm 30:6- And in my prosperity I said, I shall never by moved.
:7- Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
:8- I cried to Thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication.
:9- What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
:10-Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.
:11- Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness
:12- To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.
So, here on May 6th, I do not know if my season of sickness is officially over. It is my prayer it is.
But, my season of self pity is.
Today, I love the Lord with all my mind.
Today, I set my mind on things above.
Today, the Lord goes before me. I glory in Him. I boast in Him. I do not war after the flesh. For my weapons are not carnal.
No amount of exercise or careful eating can give me eternal life. My God is the giver of life.
Strongholds happen in the mind.
WHAT I THINK, MATTERS!
2 Corinthians 10:5-Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
Here's Christ's example:
After 40 days of being tempted of the devil, with nothing to eat and being hungry:
Devil: If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
Jesus: "It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God."
Jesus stood on the WORD OF GOD.
Jesus cast down the devil's imaginations and high things because they were exalting themselves against the knowledge of God.
I will:
1. Follow Christ's example.
2. Recognize the false by knowing the truth.
3. Stand on the Word of God NOT on imaginations and high things.
"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season." Luke 4:13
I will be wise to remember that temptations will be no more when I am no more!
No temptations with my Father in my eternal home. Glory!!
So, if I can imagine a flow chart of sorts:
When temptations come, stand on the Word.
IF: I've lost my footing
THEN: It will show in my thinking.
END: Where my mind goes, my behavior will follow.
IF: I've lost my footing
THEN: I must go back to His Word.
END: Victory through His Mercy and Grace.
HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US. Hebrews 13:5b
