Psalm 31:9-10 "Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. (10) For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed."
Quite honestly, this 31st Psalm is a sad one to read. David feels himself
to be all alone in the world and among a nation that he loves dearly. Some of
the people that he tried to help have turned against him. We know Saul turned
against him and tried to kill him. There was strife among his own family.
People of the nation were taking sides. David had strife within himself that he
was constantly having to battle. David literally felt the weight of the
world of Israel upon his shoulders.
Recently, we saw David stretching himself out before the Lord. "Into thy
hands I commit my spirit." .... "Lord, my life is in your
hands. The world around me seems to be falling apart and I can't do anything to
stop it. I belong to you and I want your guidance in my life because I cannot
handle this on my own." Then he goes farther with his prayer: "Have
mercy upon me, O LORD." I tremble when I hear people say they want
what they deserve. David did not want what he deserved, for he knew he deserved
the very wrath of God. David wanted and pleaded for MERCY.
"Mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly." David was saying, "I cannot see things in a logical manner." I
can't "think straight" because grief has clouded my vision and my
mind." Grief is "tearing me up". It is consuming the very
core of my being. People that I thought were supporting me have turned against
me. Lord, I cannot handle this on my own. Please help me to be able to get
through this struggle.
Again, I tremble when I hear people say they want what they deserve. As for me,
I want and need God's mercy. How about you? We may not have the same
battles to fight as David did, but I assure you that we all face struggles of
life that can cause grief for ourselves and for others. We do not need our just
reward; rather, we need mercy. I find myself as that publican in the
temple as he prayed, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner." He
would not even lift up his eyes toward heaven because he did not feel himself
worthy. "Lord, be merciful."