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Day 46

"Return, O LORD, deliver me!"

Day 46 – Psalm 6

“Return, O LORD, deliver me!” Psalm 6:4a

GRAPPLING WITH THE CONCEPT OF “TIME”

As human beings we are certainly “finite”. Much of our understanding of life depends on such factors as “time”. Our concept of time however may be quite different from God’s understanding of time. On this side of heaven, David struggled deeply with the problem of how long God seemed to take to bring about deliverance.

“My soul also is greatly troubled;
But You, O LORD- how long?

For in death there is no remembrance of You;
In the grave who will give You thanks?”
Psalm 6:3,5

1. “How long?”

This is a question that reflects clearly David’s struggle with understanding God’s concept of time.

a) David was certainly in a hurry for God’s deliverance.
b) Each day that God did not answer and send His deliverance seemed one day too long.

2. “In death… in the grave”

a) These references reflect how dreadfully fearful David was.
b) The situation in his life was so desperate that he feared that soon he would die- if God did not send deliverance soon.

3. Thoughts about death

a) The dead would not remember God.
b) The dead would never be able to give thanks to God.
c) And Israel would have lost its most prolific psalm-writer.

LESSONS ABOUT TIME

Three lessons may be learned when we pray “How long?”

1. God is never in a hurry!

2. God’s answer is never too late!

3. God wants man to learn that pleading His mercy means we wait on Him in humility!