The Web Warrior

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!

Psalm 23 (NIV)
A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
  he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
  He guides me in paths of righteousness
  for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk
  through the valley of the shadow of death,
  I will fear no evil,
  for you are with me;
  your rod and your staff,
  they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
  in the presence of my enemies.
  You anoint my head with oil;
  my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
  all the days of my life,
  and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
  forever.

King David of Israel composed this music and contains six verses only and finally became one of the famous prayers of believers. When I was in second year high school, Ms. Sanvictores, my English teacher, required us to memorize Psalm 23. She wrote Psalm 23 in New King James version on the board and asked us to copy if we don’t have a Bible. That was the first and only chapter from the Bible I’ve known that time. Every time she entered the classroom we stood up and recited Psalm 23.

14 years has passed by, the LORD reminded me again Psalm 23. I just realized that every time I recite it (even I graduated from high school) I’m also praying for myself. I was 19 years old when I received Christ in my life. Although the LORD used my cousin to invite in a district camp last December of 2007, Psalm 23 was an answered prayer for me.

Now I’ve realized how powerful the chapter is as my personal prayer. Yesterday I started reciting again that chapter as part of my daily prayer and devotion in the morning. I recite it also every time I have a chance to talk to GOD specially in time of my loneliness, desperation, needs, struggles in temptations, restlessness, anger, insecurity, and whenever I’m alone.

Start memorizing Psalm 23 now and make it as your personal prayer too. God is listening. He wants us to trust Him wholeheartedly.

Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

It was November 1, 2002 - the last day I spent my life with my church friends. That was during our barbecue party when three of them teased me about the contribution for the food. To make the story short, I got angry and walked out together with my girlfriend. I never thought it was the worst downfall of my life! I broke up with my girlfriend, left the church and band mates, committed relationship with a new girlfriend and many more.

Then time came, the Lord brought me back to the church. It was my birthday last June of 2003. He told me to set a small time party and invite all of my church friends - including those people who caused me to stumble. It was so hard at first ‘coz every time I remembered how they’ve hurt me, I always want to take revenge. God taught me how to show goodness to everyone and even to those people who harmed me much.

It was only when I obeyed that God healed me emotionally and spiritually. Then He let me serve and praise Him once again through music until this time. Though I left my job to give more time for God, His blessings are still enough for each day and even overflowing.

Remember: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil”. There is no harm in doing good. It’s easy to live at peace with everyone only if you will control your anger and trust God.