A Proper Attitude Toward Chastening

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-25-2022

Psalm 6

 

Introduction.  As we go through the Book of Psalms, often I will give the biblical interpretation and then a practical application.

 

A.  I am not sure what the historical interpretation of this Psalm is, but we do know that the author was King David.

 

B.  From the first two verses of Psalm 6, we also see that the subject is the chastening of the LORD and David’s submission to it.

 

C.  David’s Plea – verses 1.  David pleads for God’s mercy in love instead of judgment in anger.

 

D.  David’s Predicament – verses 2-5.

 

1.  Verse 2.  David’s Physical Condition.  Possibly through fasting or sickness caused by sinfulness.

 

2.  Verse 3-4.  David’s Spiritual Condition.  Lacking the peace and presence of the LORD.

 

3.  Verse 5.  David’s Possible Condition.  David knew that the chastening of the LORD could bring death if not repented of and there be a change of lifestyle or spiritual condition.

 

1 Corinthians 11:28-32  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  (29)  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  (30)  For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.  (31)  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  (32)  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

 

E.  David’s Penitence.  Verse 6.  Loss of sleep and anguish of soul brought about the relief that was to be found only in the LORD.

 

F.  David’s Price.  Verses 7-8.  As king, most of David’s chastisement came in the form of his enemies, which were many, being given the power to get the upper hand.

 

G.  David’s Peace.  Verses 8-10.  The LORD heard, the LORD received, and the enemies conquered.

 

H.  Here is the application.  I do not know why David suffered as he did nor how long it took him to get to verses 8-10.  Two possibilities:

 

1.  Immediate confession and repentance.  Sometimes, the key to chastening is simple: just ask the Lord’s forgiveness and there is no lingering penalty attached to it.  This what we are more used to as, when we sin, we confess it to the Lord, forsake it, and cleansing and righteousness are instantly available.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:22-23  Abstain from all appearance of evil.  (23)  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

2.  Lack of confession and repentance.  At other times, chastening and return to the LORD become more complicated because of continuance.  With David, this was one of those times as he cries out to the LORD but is in a terrible condition because of his sin.

 

Proverbs 3:11-12  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:  (12)  For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

 

Hebrews 12:5-9  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:  (6)  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  (8)  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  (9)  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

 

a.  Recognition of sinfulness.

 

b.  Repentance from sinfulness.

 

Proverbs 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.