Central Truth

Grace without remembering its cost can lead to a casual view toward sin.

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Reflections

Today in our society we take the idea of "God's grace" as a common, every day aspect of life. In some cases we have come to expect it, rather than be thankful for it every time it is given to us. In Psalms 6, David the author, understands that grace is a gift from God. It is not something that we should expect, and it is not something that we can take for granted.

David knew how God felt about sin. He begins this psalm by pleading to Him for patience regarding his condition. He asks that God not punish him in the heat of his anger. God hates sin, and because of this, grace does not pardon sin without payment. The grace that God has given to us covers our sins because of the full payment made for us through Jesus Christ's shed blood on the cross. In the first three verses, David recognized that if God treated him with justice alone, and not grace and mercy, he would be wiped out by God's wrath.

King David was a very powerful man and a great warrior. But in this Psalm we see him pleading, crying and weeping to the Almighty God to deliver him. This is a great picture of how we can be honest and vulnerable with God, even when we are angry or sad. When we are honest and open with God, we begin to open our heart to Him and trust Him with everything in our life. God wants us to cry out to Him, and when we do, He will help us turn our attention from ourselves to Him and His grace.

This Psalm ends with David acknowledging that God has answered his cry for mercy. He claims that all of his enemies will be put to shame because of God.

David's humility and need of God's grace are the two characteristics in this Psalm that give him the title of "a man after God's own heart". Have you cried out to God in humility to understand His grace?

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Discussion Questions

1. Do I hate my sin enough to cry out to God for deliverance?
2. What is my view of God's grace? Do I take it for granted?
3. In your quiet times with God, are you honest and vulnerable with Him even when you are angry or sad?

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