OUR
SIN SHOULD DRIVE US TO 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 about how we should
approach our own sin.
1 - 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.
2 - 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.
3 - 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.
4 - 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.”
5 - We should never blame God for
the consequences for our sin. Sin will leave scars that will be constant 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.
6 - 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.
7 - 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 his 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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