Daily Devotion in Psalm 38

Daily Nugget:
Psalm 38 revealed King David was in a position we all face or should deal with in our lives. It is a time that we realize we are involved in sin, far from what God wants us to be doing, and deserving His strong rebuke (Psalm 38:1-3).

Many overlook their sinful condition and are hardened to it. Their conscience is seared, and their offense against God does not bother them anymore. However, as was David, some are honest with themselves, sensitive to the Holy Spirit tugging at their heart, and aware of their unrighteousness.

It is possible that David was at the “bottom of His barrel.” He looked up for God’s help because of an illness or injury He believed was allowed to afflict him by His chastening God. 

David wrote his wounds stunk (Psalm 38:5) because of something he did that was foolish. His action resulted in his body's weakening disease (Psalm 38:7-8, 10). Whatever afflicted him was so loathsome that some stayed at a distance from him (Psalm 38:11).

No matter how David got in the position he found himself, his conviction for his sin and disobedience to God’s commandments nagged at his conscience. His recollection of what he had done was a “heavy burden” (Psalm 38:4). He was heavily troubled without peace and mourned over his wrong-doing continually (Psalm 38:6, 8). The leader knew that the Spirit of God tried to prevent him from going down the path he chose, but David ignored (Psalm 38:13 — “I, as a deaf man”) His pleadings to his heart.

Many get to the point David found himself. Their past haunts them. They are troubled by their sin, and their guilt endlessly gnaws at them.

Those troubled souls can do one of two things. One choice is to heed the Holy Spirit’s reminder, confess to God one’s iniquity, stop, and turn away from their wickedness (repent). Having a broken spirit, as David had, can lead to changing one’s sinful direction and go on as a new different person.

The other choice that too many make is to ignore the pleadings of the Holy Spirit and continue in a direction they will one day regret. After making the wrong choice by neglecting God’s prodding, their heart may be hardened to hearing the Holy Spirit’s calling in the future.

When one gets to where they are attentive to how they have sinned against such a Holy God, they need to admit their iniquity swiftly. Repentance from their wrong-doing and obedience to the Lord should follow shortly. 

If you have ignored what the Holy Spirit has spoken to your heart to do, do it now. You may not have another opportunity to get it right with your Creator! Ignoring the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit may result in no further communication from Him. That is why it is always best to do as He urges you immediately! 

Today’s Thought: 
“Let the ground of all religious actions be obedience; examine not why it is commanded, but observe it because it is commanded. True obedience neither procrastinates nor questions.” —Quarles

Words to Understand:
Adversaries: enemies
Iniquities: sins
Kinsmen: a member of same race or family
Loathsome: extremely disgusting
Rebuke: correct, chastise

Today’s Reading:
Psalm 38
1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 ¶ They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.