Prophet’s
Reading Plan: Daniel
11-12
The Nature of Man: In
the Valley
Read Psalm 6
The tone of this psalm is rather depressing.
Characteristic of Hebrew poetry, the psalmist uses exaggeration to illustrate
the depths of his sorrow: “I flood my bed
with tears; I drench my couch with weeping.” (v 6). David wrote this during
one of his many “valley experiences” – a time in his life when everything
seemed to be going wrong. If anyone had reason to speak so sorrowfully, it was
David. Promised kingship as a young shepherd boy, fulfillment only came after
20 years, many of which he lived in transit, running from the jealous king Saul
who sought to take his life. There were times when he questioned the promise,
when he questioned God’s nearness and love. But his resolve was firmly set in
the Lord, and he never stopped calling out to God, even when times were bleak.
He never hid his feelings from God.
Valley experiences will come. Jesus promised that we
would have trouble in this world, so these times of dryness and melancholy
should not surprise us, and we also need not fear them. But it is in these
times that we must resolve to cling to the Lord that Scripture declares is
sovereign, just and merciful.
Overview
Verses 1-5: Call
to the Lord for mercy
Verses 6-7: Description
of sorrow
Verses 8-10: Confidence
in the Lord for deliverance
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1) Be honest about your feelings before
the Lord. What are you feeling right now? He already sees your heart, so there
is nothing to hide.
2) Ask Him to speak into these feelings,
to give you encouragement or warning or affirmation.
3)
Are you in a valley right now? Ask God
for His help and write down some of the truths that Scripture proclaims about
God. Thank God for the things on your list.
4)
If you’re not in a valley now, when was
the last time you were? How did you come out of it? Ask God if you learned
everything he wanted you to learn from it or if there’s anything He still wants
to teach you about Himself.
