LORD, do not adjudicate me in Your anger, and do not discipline me in Your heat. LORD, have favor on me for I waste away. LORD, heal me because my bones are dismayed (Psalm 6:1 and 2).
In this psalm, King David cries out for favor and kindness from the LORD. He is wasting away, sapped of his strength from external forces. His bones are in intense emotional agitation from fear. David calls out to the LORD, asking how long his soul will be so greatly agitated in fear (Psalm 6:3).
David requests that God preserve his life on account of kindness, expressing distress at the prospect of death (Psalm 6:4 and 5). He becomes exhausted by persistent groaning and grief inflicted by his adversaries (Psalm 6:6 and 7).
He commands all workers of trouble to depart, affirming that the LORD has heard his weeping (Psalm 6:8). The LORD responds to his plea for help and intercession (Psalm 6:9). Ultimately, his enemies will experience shame and profound dismay (Psalm 6:10).
While David cries out for favor and kindness, Christians are recipients of grace and love. The apostle John states in John 1:17, “Because the law was given through Moses, and the grace and the truth came to be through Jesus.”
This highlights the distinction between law and grace. Christians are granted fellowship with God irrespective of merit; by walking in the light, they may partake in the divine nature (2nd Peter 1:3–4; 1st John 1:7).
Within this relationship, Christians receive comfort during tribulation (2nd Corinthians 1:4). Consequently, they can remain patient in adversity, trusting that God orchestrates all circumstances for their benefit as they demonstrate love toward fellow believers (Romans 8:28; 12:12; 1st John 4:20).
Because Christians are not appointed unto any wrath (1st Thessalonians 5:9), God does not judge them punitively for their sins. Instead, God child-trains them so that they learn to walk in righteousness and produce good fruit (Hebrews 12:11; 1st Corinthians 11:32).
Nothing can separate Christians from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not even their sin (Romans 8:35 through 39). Mature love casts out fear of punishment, and the peace of God surpasses the mind, grounded in a better hope (1 John 4:18; Hebrews 7:19).
