Physical illness can affect our emotional and spiritual wellbeing. When we are sick physically we can feel down emotionally and weak spiritually. They are all connected to us, after all. They physical, emotional and spiritual parts of us are all really one. They are not separate boxes inside of us with hoses connecting them with on and off valves. We only think of them as parts of us to help us understand them, but they are all you. One part of you doesn’t go on strike and walk around with picket signs trying to get its own way.
I write this to help us understand our Psalm for today. David is in some kind of physical pain, agony in his bones. We have no idea what ailment has overtaken him. Perhaps it is from running way from Absalom, his son who betrayed him. Maybe it is from sleeping on the ground rather than in his royal bed. Perhaps it is some illness. We just don’t know.
We do know that David feels like what is happening to him physically is the result of the LORD’s hand in judgment. Discipline can come in many forms. David has the physical pain, but also his soul is yearning for an end to the pain and a restoration in his relationship with the LORD.
David is even aware that the illness might end in his death. So he appeals to the LORD on that basis. In essence David says, “If you want my worship from me, don’t let me die. Dead men don’t worship.” David isn’t afraid to make appeals like this. He’s not trying to manipulate the LORD. He is simply being honest about how he feels, open and transparent.
David is getting worn out as a result of both this illness and the turmoil with his enemies. Both of these weigh heavily on him. He has trouble sleeping. The sorrow of what he has lost keeps him in tears. And as you know, sorrow and grief can wear a person out. Grieving is hard work.
It is amazing what being able to be open with our feelings with someone can do to help us feel better. Most of us just need one person with whom we can share, someone who ‘gets’ us, and then life seems manageable. David finds this in the LORD. We know this because near the end of the Psalm David declares that the LORD has heard him. It is great when we know the LORD has heard us, that someone understands what we are going through, that someone cares.
Often battles don’t come as single events. Often they come at us from multiple fronts. David had both the physical and the political raging at the same time. He also felt as though the LORD was being a bit too slow in responding to his need. It is important to be aware of the multiple facets of struggle that we have at any given moment. They are not one attack, but several. Each one may be separate from the others, but they together create the struggle in which you find yourself.
Bring the struggles to the LORD. Stay in His presence until you get restoration. Then you will be ready to attack the other areas of attack.
The Arnold Journey 