Ash Wednesday - Psalm 6

Ash Wednesday
February 25, 2009
From St. Matthew’s Passion - Matthew 26:36-46
Psalm 6
Deliver Me from My Sins and My Enemies
A Dark Night

Psalm 6 is known as the first of seven penitential psalms - songs of confession and humility before God. It was a custom in the early church to sing these psalms on Ash Wednesday, and on the Wednesday of Holy Week. The title of this Psalm is, “To the Chief Musician…With stringed instruments…On an eight-stringed harp…A Psalm of David.”

David wrote Psalms 6 during a time when he was in a great deal of physical and emotional pain. David was sick to the point of his bones aching; his eyes are red and swollen from lack of sleep. He has enemies all around him. If that wasn't bad enough, he felt like the Lord had left him because He was angry with him.

We've all felt like that at some point in our lives, and probably will again. We feel like at the lowest, most painful point in our life, when everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, everyone is against us, we're physically sick, we feel like the Lord is far from us and not hearing our prayers for mercy.

David was a physically strong man of war. He was a spiritually strong man, a man after God's own heart. David was a man of great power and wealth, the King of Israel. None of these things kept sickness and emotional distress from touching his life, but David's ability to pray, to know how to talk to the Lord his God, delivered him from physical and emotional distress he was in.

Most likely, David wrote Psalm 6 after a sleepless night. It seems that David was going through a trying time in his life and felt that there was a connection between his suffering and a sin he had committed. He had been brought low by what he considered to be God’s chastisement.

1. DAVID’S SAD CONDITION (6:1-7) IT WAS A TIME TO CRY - THE HURTING CHRISTIAN

A. He Speaks about His Excuse: “I am weak” (6:1-5)

1. His Plight (6:1-3) O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in anguish. How long, O LORD, how long? David describes himself as "Drooping as a blighted plant” and "languishing” Jesus places Himself in the hands of the Father, knowing that of Himself he can do nothing.

B. “My soul is in anguish”
a. David's exhaustion from a sin-related illness,

b. Christ's exhaustion from the conflict with "sin" -- caused by the unclean, defiling "disease" of human nature. The stress and agony in a constant denial of his flesh, especially at the end, as is seen in the Scriptures concerning Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 52:14; Just as there were many who were appalled at him his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness

Isaiah 53:2-4; He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

Luke 22:43, 44 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground

C. “How long?”
a. David cries. That is, David asks the Lord, how long before deliverance comes? With God, what (humanly speaking) seems to be "delay" is actually the orderly maturing of His purposes. Our problem is the inability to discern, in a frenzied age like ours, the slow but inevitable out workings of God's timetable.
b. Note that David does not deny that he deserves God’s rebuke; he asks that it not be in anger (David knew that the wrath of God was not to be taken lightly; nor could it be resisted).
c. There is not a one of us here who will be able to resist God’s wrath when Christ comes again. None of us will demand justice be done when Christ comes again. We will all plead for God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness.

2. His Plea (6:4-5)
A. Along the Line of Mercy. SAVE ME BECAUSE OF YOUR UNFAILING LOVE: "Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour" (John 12:27).
a. David had a sense of God’s displeasure and felt a distance between him and God (“Return, O Lord…..”). He was weary in his groaning and was “swimming in a bed of tears.” "That eye of his that had looked and lusted after his neighbor's wife is now dimmed and darkened with grief and indignation. He had wept himself almost blind". ALL NIGHT LONG I FLOOD MY BED WITH WEEPING AND DRENCH MY COUCH WITH TEARS:
b. Christ's 'bed' was the ground, in Gethsemane, where "with strong crying and tears". He sought relief from the burden He bore. Hebrews 5:7 tells us “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”

c. Along the Line of Memory. His sin is always before Him. He can’t get it out of his head. Words, spoken in anger, actions filled with hate, thoughts filled with rage. They are always before Him. He can’t forget.


B. He Speaks about His Exercise:
“I am weary” (6:6-7)

a. He Was Warn Out (6:6) I am weary from my groaning…I drench my couch with tears.”

C. He was Waxing Old (6:7) ”My eye wastes away because of grief. It grows old because of all my enemies.”

3. DAVID’S SUDDEN CONFIDENCE (6:8-10) In verse 8 is where David changes his prayer, he quits complaining and begins to speak faith...'for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.... (Verse 9) The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer'. 'Hath' is a present tense word, the Lord HAS heard. Nothing has changed for David yet. He is still sick, his eyes still swollen from crying, enemies are still around him, but he speaks faith. He prayed, now he believes.

A. His Fears Are Stilled (6:8-9) Our Lord does not ask His people to suffer without purpose. Rather He uses our suffering for good; for our good and for our neighbor's good, and He joins us also to the suffering of Christ, who did not love His life to the end but laid it down for ours. Thus David will say, “Depart from me all you workers of iniquity; for the Lord has heart the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication.” The Lord has promised to hear. The Lord has promised to act. This is why He sent His Son into our world to bear our sin, to carry our load, to be the sacrifice for sin.


B. His Foes Are Stopped (6:10) “Let all my enemies be ashamed…let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.” We do not suffer alone. In our suffering, in our misery, in our unhappiness we need not despair. For Christ has come not only to redeem but also to restore us back to the Father. When we receive mercy from our Lord our enemies are defeated and we are tormented no more.

Throughout this journey of Lent, as we focus on the cries and prayers of David through the psalms they will touch us emotionally, spiritually. They will speak of our human and broken condition. They will point us to Christ who bore our sin patiently.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Wednesday February 25, 2009 - Ash Wednesday - Genesis 28:10-17

Lent is a time of suffering. Consider Jacob. He had stolen his father’s blessing from his brother Esau. When their mother heard of Esau’s plan to kill Jacob as soon as Isaac dies, she advised Jacob to flee to her brother, Laban. Jacob flees and on his way to Laban, when night comes he lies down to sleep, using a stone as a pillow. He experiences forsakenness – alone, estranged from his family, in a strange land, his future uncertain. In this extremity, God comes and promises to protect and prosper him. Jacob awakens with amazement that God is with and for him.

Jacob used a stone for a pillow, and still he slept! But it was not a sound sleep, for he had dreams that night he ran away from home. He made his bed by cheating his brother of his birthright and his father’s blessing, and now he must lie in it: the hard, cold ground with a stone for a pillow! It was a stone of loneliness, rejection, and hostility. Even here in this condition God came to him with words of comfort and assurance. In the depth of our existence God comes to us.

Today we begin the journey of Lent for this is Ash Wednesday. We consider our sin with the ashes of repentance. No matter how lonely your plight, be assured that the Savior has come to bear your sin and carry your load.

Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - Faith tested by Suffering - Romans 8:21-29

Fyodor Dostoevsky, the great 19th century Russian author of The Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment, and Notes from the Underground, suffered greatly. He grew up with an abusive father, lived with epilepsy, was nearly executed in a political mess (and consequently spent years in a Siberian prison) was poor his whole life, had a gambling addiction, and lost his three – year – old son Alexei to illness.

But Dostoevsky is also recognized as one of the world’s greatest Christian writers, his works containing themes of redemption and the cleansing power of suffering. This is very much reflected in his works, and the characters who sink the lowest are often those who find peace and the self proclaimed righteous are put down.

In The Brothers Karamazov Alexei Karamazov is preparing for a life as a monk. He hides from a broken family life in the monastery in an attempt to rid himself of the sensuality that pervaded and wrecked his family. But Alexei’s mentor at the monastery, the Elder Zosima, urges him to go out in the world, saying that faith can only be sincere unless it is tested. Alexei’s faith could not be tested within the monastery, and Christianity and being a believer would not save him from his suffering.

In the same way, being a Christian does not make life easy. A life in Christ did not stop the suffering of the original twelve apostles, or many early Christians, or of Dostoevsky, or of countless others.

Yet suffering, as Dostoevsky believed has an incredible cleansing and grounding power. It is in spite of pain and suffering that we believe. If God can redeem Mary Magdalene, the thief on the cross, and those that killed His son, then we can also be redeemed and saved.

Lord by Thy passion may we learn to endure suffering and by it ever seek Thy mercy and peace.

-Lydia Dahling

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Time in the Word Lent 1

The theme for the First Sunday in Lent is The Way of the Cross Leads to the Testing of Faith. The devil hates God, but is unable to defeat Him. In fact, the devil knows that it is he who has already been defeated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This does not mean, however, that the devil is not still a dangerous enemy. Terrorists and mobsters know that, when you are unable to defeat a man head-on, you go after his family, the ones he loves. So it is, that the devil attacks the family of God, the ones He loves, that is, us. He will bring temptation and adversity into our lives to try and separate us from our Creator and Redeemer. When such tribulation comes to us, we must cling all the more tightly to the Words and promises of God, who tells us ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ (Joshua 1:5)

Monday, 23 February 2009—Psalm 91:9–13; antiphon, Psalm 91:15–16—The Introit sets the theme for the day: that, in times of trouble, the Lord is our only sure dwelling place and refuge. The Lord loves everyone who puts his trust in Him, and so He promises, ‘When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.’

Tuesday, 24 February 2009—Psalm 25:1–10—In this psalm, David prays for God’s mercy when he is under attack by his enemies. He asks the Lord to remember His mercy and steadfast love, and not to look upon David’s sins. We do the same when we pray the Lord’s prayer. We ask God to deliver us from evil, and, in praying ‘Forgive us our trespasses,’ we pray that ‘our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer.’ (Small Catechism)

Wednesday, 25 February 2009—Genesis 22:1–18—Our Old Testament reading is a familiar one: the testing of Abraham. When we New Testament believers hear this account, it reminds us of our Savior Jesus. Jehovahjireh—The Lord Will Provide—supplies a substitute for Isaac. The ram is caught by its horns, and thus remains unblemished, the perfect sacrifice. Likewise, the Lord offered up His Son Jesus on the cross to be our substitute. He was the perfect sacrifice, unblemished by the taint of sin.

Thursday, 26 February 2009—James 1:12–18—When we are baptized, it is as if a bull’s-eye is painted on us. The devil will attack us, for he knows that, in Baptism, we are washed clean of our sins, and are made the children of God. When temptation comes, therefore, as it surely will, we must remain steadfast in the faith we received at Baptism. We do this by reading and hearing God’s Word, by daily remembering our Baptism, and by being regular in our church attendance, where we confess our sins and receive absolution and where we receive the Lord’s Supper for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening and nurturing of our faith.

Friday, 27 February 2009—Mark 1:9–15—After our Lord’s Baptism, the Spirit led Him into the desert to suffer temptation at the hands of the devil. He endured the same temptations as were presented to Adam and Eve in the Garden—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as the holy Evangelist John names them (1 John 2:16). Unlike our first parents (and us), however, He does not give into temptation, but resists the devil with the words of Holy Scripture.

Saturday, 28 February 2009—The great hymn of the Reformation, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656), is our hymn of the day. It reminds us that, though the devil is a formidable foe, one whom we are unable to overcome on our own, he has been defeated by the Word made flesh, our Savior Jesus. ‘Our victory has been won; The Kingdom ours remaineth.’
Collect for the First Sunday in Lent—O Lord God, You led Your ancient people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide the people of Your Church that following our Savior we may walk through the wilderness of this world toward the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Illustration from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden (The Book of Books in Pictures).

Pr. Jeff Keuning Dexter, IA contributed to this week's Time in the Word

Monday, February 23, 2009 Abraham’s faith is tested Genesis 22:1-18

No “but” about it. Could our fathers at Zion Friedheim offer up their sons to God? Abraham had so much faith in God that he went to offer his son Isaac. Abraham did not ask any questions. There is no “but” about it. Abraham’s faith is what God wants ours to be. Not to offer our sins, but to listen to God’s word and to trust that word. He doesn’t want us to ask any questions whenever He tells us to do something. God wants us to have no “but” about it.

If you do everything God wants you to do, whether you think it is right or not, He knows what is best for us. God pretty much tested Abraham’s faith. Yet God knew that Abraham’s faith was strong enough because Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son. Abraham somehow knew that God would provide.

God provided a ram too be sacrificed instead of Abraham’s son Isaac. The point of this devotion is just do what God says and has no “but” about it. God will see to it that things will work out for the best.

Dear heavenly Father, I wish to thank You for the wonderful day You have given us this day. With You will let us obey Your commands as we will one day be with You in Your heavenly home. In You name we pray.

-Jacob Bergman

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Sunday, February 22, 2009 - The Transfiguration of our Lord - Mark 9:2-9

Today begins the preparation for the season of Lent. On the Mount Jesus is transfigured before three of His disciples as the Father declares Him to the His only Son in whom He is well pleased. Coming down from the mountain the Savior tells them not to repeat this story until He is risen from the dead.

During this special season we come down from the mountain of glory to the valley of suffering where we will witness the various aspects of the Saviour’s passion, suffering conflict and pain. At the end of this season we will rise with Him on another mountain, the mountain of victory at the empty tomb. As we journey together we will come to the same conclusion as these disciples that this Jesus is none other then the Savior of the world; the Father’s only Son, our Lord and our redeemer.

Let us walk with the Savior during this season as we enter this journey of Lent…

O God, in the glorious Transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah, and in the voice that came from the bright cloud You wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King of His glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives, and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is limited to personal and congregational use.

Transfiguration Sunday

O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair of Glory that the Church may Share,
Which Christ upon the mountain shows, Where Brighter than the sun He glows!

The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ was and is an historic occasion. The challenge for me, the preacher and you, the listener, is to answer the question “so what?” What does the fact that the Lord Jesus was transfigured mean to you living in the 21st Century? How is it relevant to your daily life? What is the Lord saying to us in this experience? Let us take a look.

1. The Lord’s glorious Transfiguration is an example to follow – go to a mountain of prayer. “Jesus went to a mountain where they were all alone.” Vs. 2 It was Jesus’ pattern to pray. It was Jesus’ pattern to get away from the crowd, away from the hustle of life, away from His plans and priorities. We too are busy people. There are commitments and deadlines, appointments and schedules that have to be kept. Yet, Jesus first priority was to His heavenly Father. He said to Mary and Joseph, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49) He said to his disciples, ‘But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) In the midst of our busy lives we need to turn off the computer, disengage the cell phone, walk away from our television series and spend both quality and quantity time with the Lord in prayer.

2. The Lord’s glorious Transfiguration gives us a sin to avoid. “Let us put up three shelters— one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Vs.5) Peter may have desired to erect a new tent of meeting where God could again communicate with His people. (Exodus 29:42). Possibly he was thinking of the booths used at the Feast of Tabernacles. (Leviticus 23:42) In any case, he seemed eager to find fulfillment of the promised glory then. Yet, the promised glory will only come in the suffering that is necessary for salvation. When liturgy becomes cold formalism, when ritual shadows true piety, when ceremony crowds out true worship we are making idols of our traditions. We need to keep the main thing the main thing in our worship practice as St. Paul encouraged, “I determine to know nothing among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2)

3. The Lord’s glorious Transfiguration gives us a prayer to echo. “Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here.” (Vs 5) Peter’s response to the Transfiguration was half right and half wrong. He was wrong in suggesting the building of booths, but he was altogether right when he said it was good for the disciples to be there. It is truly good for us to be in the assembly of God’s people like Moses and Elijah. It is good for us to hear God’s holy Word. There is nothing better than to see the glory of Jesus Christ. Worship at its best is found when we place our focus on Jesus Christ and His words and promises for us found in the Scriptures.

4. The Lord’s glorious Transfiguration gives us a purpose in our lives –the command to obey. “Listen to Him” (Vs.7) We come not just to a worship service but in service we worship Him. Worship, at its best calls for us to follow and obey the Savior. We listen and we obey. Christ has called us to discipleship. He calls us to obedience. Worship at its very best calls us to be new people, new people in Jesus Christ. He calls us to follow Him as He guides and as He leads.

We began this season of Epiphany this year with John reminding us, “He must increase, I must decrease.” (John 3:30) We conclude this season with the same instruction. We follow Him as He guides and directs us. Worship at its best is a challenge for each of us to heed the voice of the Savior.

When we return to this holy house in three days we will begin the pilgrimage of following Jesus to the cross and open tomb. As we follow Him down from the mountain of Transfiguration to the Mount of Olives, to a hill called Golgotha, to the open tomb may we experience Jesus in His glory hidden at that time but now fully revealed to us. As we do this, not only will we find worship at its best we will truly worship Him in spirit and in truth. In Jesus’ name.

O Father, with the eternal Son and Holy Spirit ever one,
We pray Thee; bring us by Thy grace to see thy glory face to face.