READING: Psalm 5, 38, 41-42
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Psalm 38 is the psalmist’s cry for healing from a sickness apparently caused by sin. While not all sickness is caused by sin, the psalmist seems to recognize that his sickness is directly related to his sin. Indeed, the picture painted is almost as overwhelming as the sickness was for the psalmist.
As I read these texts, I cannot help but think about the ongoing pain when we live in sin: having no strength, sin flooding over us; carrying a burden too heavy to bear; groaning over the anguish of our heart. If these pictures describe the product of sin, surely we would choose to reject sin.
Psalm 38:3-8 There is no health in my body because of Your indignation; there is no strength in my bones because of my sin. For my sins have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness. I am bent over and brought low; all day long I go around in mourning. For my loins are full of burning pain, and there is no health in my body. I am faint and severely crushed; I groan because of the anguish of my heart.
PRAYER: Pray that the psalmist’s words would cause us to reject temptation and turn to God. Pray we would echo what the psalmist prayed: "Lord, do not abandon me;
my God, do not be far from me. Hurry to help me, Lord, my Savior” (38:21-22).
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57
