February 21, 2022
Today we will be reading Psalm 38, which is one of several penitential or confessional psalms. David, the Psalmist, brings us to the very painful and dark places of his sinful guilt. We experience his physical, emotional, and spiritual pain which he openly expresses to God.
Dear Friends: I initially did not want to share this psalm, because it is so painful…but the Spirit of Christ quickly moved to help me realize that is exactly WHY it has to be shared.
Reminder: YOU & I ARE SINNERS! We are ALL in need, just like David, of the Lord’s forgiveness on a daily basis, and at times, on a second-to-second basis.
Questions: Are you as open, raw, and honest with the Lord, as David, when you sin and seek His forgiveness? Is your relationship with Him so intimate that you grieve when you sin against Him and others by your actions, words, thoughts, or inactions?
Reminder: No earthly relationship compares to the one that you and I have with Jesus…not friends, not family, and certainly not those who consider themselves your enemies. Listen to David and choose to not hear them or to reply when they forsake you; rather, wait on the Lord (v.14-15).
In Closing: Friends, we need to hold the final verses of this psalm close to our hearts: “21 Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.” In the midst of pain and darkness, David never loses sight of WHO is most important, the Lord. He knows that he needs Him, close by and quickly, as He is the only One Who can help. That is the same Truth for our lives.
Psalm 38
A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.
1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage!
2 Your arrows have struck deep,
and your blows are crushing me.
3 Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
my health is broken because of my sins.
4 My guilt overwhelms me—
it is a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and stink
because of my foolish sins.
6 I am bent over and racked with pain.
All day long I walk around filled with grief.
7 A raging fever burns within me,
and my health is broken.
8 I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.
9 You know what I long for, Lord;
you hear my every sigh.
10 My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
and I am going blind.
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
Even my own family stands at a distance.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
All day long they plan their treachery.
13 But I am deaf to all their threats.
I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14 I choose to hear nothing,
and I make no reply.
15 For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
or rejoice at my downfall.”
17 I am on the verge of collapse,
facing constant pain.
18 But I confess my sins;
I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19 I have many aggressive enemies;
they hate me without reason.
20 They repay me evil for good
and oppose me for pursuing good.
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my savior.
Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to recognize sin before it takes place and to rebuke it in Your Name, Jesus. Quicken me, Lord, to seek Your forgiveness. Thank You for never abandoning me, and for always being available. I pray all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.
Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant