OUR GOD IS A FORGIVING GOD
Psalm 38
A Psalm of David, for
the memorial offering.
1 O Lord, rebuke
me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your
wrath!
2 For
your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has
come down on me.
In this psalm that David
has designated for the memorial offering, he speaks about his sin and the
anguish that it has caused. We do not know if this memorial is David’s request
to God to remember him, or it is for himself, to remember his sin and God’s
forgiveness. As we read through this psalm, though, it is abundantly clear that
sin has had a profound effect in David’s life.
He knows that he deserves
the discipline of God and that God has not remained indifferent. We certainly
know from the Word of God, that David had to endure the consequences of his
sin; we also know that he repented of his sin before God.
When we sin, we are not
thinking about how foolish it is to sin, to be willing to trade the peace and
wisdom that comes from God for some temporary pleasure. In verse five, David
makes it very clear that his choice to sin was certainly foolish.
His sin brought both internal
consequences and external ones, leaving David in distress, bearing its weight. His
inner tumult is the result of his sorrow for the effect of God’s indignation
about his iniquities.
David’s repentance and
sorrow are real. They are directed to his Lord. He knows that he has offended
his God and is bearing the weight of His judgment. He really does not have
anything to offer God, apart from his sorrow and repentance. He knows that God
is totally aware of what is going on in his heart. He is utterly dependent on
God for forgiveness and for protection from his enemies.
He realizes that his
enemies are also part of God’s rebuke and discipline, but His pressing priority
is to be close to his God, living in repentant and humble submission to Him.
Only God has an acceptable
solution, and David is willing to wait upon Him. The Lord is the One who can
save him and forgive him. David is expectant, relying upon God’s rescue.
As we meditate on these
words, some thoughts come to mind on how we should approach our own sin.
We should never be attracted by momentary pleasure. Sin is always the result of our foolish
rebellion. The author of Hebrews, in chapter 11, reminds us that Moses chose to
serve God instead of being allured by the pleasures of sin.
We should never minimize it. God is
always offended by it, and it will always bring consequences in our lives.
Romans
6:23
For the
wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
We should never justify it. We should never blame our sin on our
circumstances or the behavior of others.
Proverbs
28:13
Whoever conceals
his transgressions will not prosper,
but he
who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
We should never overlook the heavy hand of God. God will let the weight of sin come upon us. We
should be questioning our relationship with Him, if, when we sin, we do not experience
His heavy hand upon us.
Hebrews
12:5-6
“My
son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be
weary when reproved by him.
For the
Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and
chastises every son whom he receives.”
We should never blame God for the consequences for
our sin. Sin will leave scars that
will be loving constant and useful reminders of our foolishness.
Colossians
3:5-6
Put to
death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality,
impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is
idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
We should never believe that we are slaves to sin. If we have justified our sin because “we cannot
help it”, we must repent. Only unbelievers are slaves to sin!
1
Corinthians 10:13
No
temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful,
and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to
endure it.
We should never forget that God forgives sin. We must believe that God is faithful to His
promises and will forgive confessed sin.
1 John
1:9
If we
confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Although David felt the
weight of sin, he knew that he needed to turn to God and repent. He knew that
God could refresh his soul and protect him from his enemies.
Psalm 38:18
I confess my
iniquity;
I am sorry for my
sin.
As we recognize sin and its
gravity before God, we have only one place to go: to the feet of Jesus. May the
Lord help us to view sin the way God sees it, and may we rejoice in forgiveness,
with a renewed appreciation for the amazing gift that it is to us.
Psalm 38:21-22
21 Do not forsake me,
O Lord!
O my God, be not far
from me!
22 Make haste to help
me,
O Lord,
my salvation!
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