The Web Warrior

John 19:30 (NIV)
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Few weeks ago, I received a text message from one of our young people in our church. After reading her text message, GOD reminded me the last words Jesus have spoken before he gave up His Spirit, “It is finished.”

Wow! Despite of the physical pains Jesus got from the Roman soldiers, He kept on going till He died on the cross. He faithfully carried out the mission the Father gave Him. His goal is to die on the cross and pay the price for the sins of the world by His blood and save us from eternal death. But what if He decided to stop and pass it to others instead? Definitely no one is willing and worthy to accept that mission and nothing will be accomplished. There will be no salvation too.

Everyone of us has goals in life. There are no shortcuts in fulfilling these goals; there must be sacrifice involved. And when there is sacrifice, there is pain too. Let’s do not stop in pursuing our goals in life especially if it’s for GOD’s glory. There is no success and self fulfillment for an unfinished project. Our eternal goal is to get the eternal prize - the eternal life through the blood of Jesus Christ. GOD is faithful to His promises. He will surely reward those who are faithful and obedient to GOD’s commandments.

Let’s keep on moving with the wisdom He is giving us everyday and with the help of the Holy Spirit till we succeed and then celebrate by shouting “It is finished!”

Psalm 6 (NIV)
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
  or discipline me in your wrath.

2 Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;
  or O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.

3 My soul is in anguish.
  or How long, O LORD, how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;
  or save me because of your unfailing love.

5 No one remembers you when he is dead.
  or Who praises you from the grave?

6 I am worn out from groaning;
  or all night long I flood my bed with weeping
  or and drench my couch with tears.

7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
  or they fail because of all my foes.

8 Away from me, all you who do evil,
  or for the LORD has heard my weeping.

9 The LORD has heard my cry for mercy;
  or the LORD accepts my prayer.

10 All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;
  or they will turn back in sudden disgrace.

What are some possible causes why people left the church and forget GOD? Family, relationship with the opposite sex or friends, studies or work are in the list but SIN is the most common cause why most believers left the church and lose their faith in GOD and follow their own sinful ways.

Last June 21, 2008, it was our Sold Out (young adult’s fellowship) when I volunteered to be their speaker. GOD led me to share my experience about my personal struggles and how Psalm 6 helped me to stay focus in Him in prayer. According to Life Application Study Bible (NIV), Psalm 6 is David’s prayer for deliverance. It’s one of the 7 penitential psalms David wrote where he humbly realizes his predicament or the result of his sin, expresses sorrow over it, and demonstrates a fresh commitment to remain close to GOD.

Whatever sin David has committed, I’m not pretty sure about it. It might be the sin he committed with Bathsheba. We do all know his story so I don’t need to write it down. Adam and Eve when they first committed their sin hidden themselves from the LORD because they disobeyed Him and they were ashamed for what they have done - they are guilty about it and GOD punished them in return.

Guilt can play an important role in bringing us to Christ and keeping us behaving properly, but it should not cripple us or make us fearful. During my days of struggle, I didn’t commit any sin but I was emotionally down that time. I have these tendencies not to read the Bible, not to pray, and not to go to our church. But I tried helping myself with the remaining strength and little faith and hope I have by reading the Bible and keep praying harder. Most of those nights I cried to the LORD that much and begging to save me from desperation and hopelessness by His grace and mercy.

Here are some points I got from Psalm 6:

1. On verses 1 to 5, David described GOD’s justice, mercy and grace, and His unfailing love. With His justice alone, we’re all gone in this world but with His mercy and grace He saved us all through His son Jesus.
2. Verses 6 to 7, David showed his honesty but with humility. GOD wants to hear praises from our lips but He is also interested in hearing about our true emotions especially if we feel angry or despair.
3. Lastly, verses 8-10, David expressed his confidence in the LORD. If we have deep relationship in Him, we must have this confidence that He always listens and answers prayer according to His will despite of our short comings.

Whether we are experiencing emotional or personal struggles or guilt from the sins we have committed, staying away from the church, keeping ourselves from praying and avoiding reading the Bible won’t help us. Let’s always remember that GOD is a gracious in forgiving. No matter how small is our faith and hope left in us, use it to call unto GOD and draw closer to Him. He will surely rescue us in His ways!

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