February 24, 2017

CONFESS YOUR MESS AND GET BACK IN THE GAME

Psalm 38

Lyn Hardage
Friday's Devo

February 24, 2017

Friday's Devo

February 24, 2017

Central Truth

In 1 Samuel 13:14, God desires Israel's king to be a "man after his own heart." Although King David sinned greatly, Acts 13:22 describes him as a man after God's heart. Maybe being "after God's own heart" means acknowledging, like David, complete dependence on Him for help, healing, and restoration.

Key Verse | Psalm 38:17–18

For I am ready to fall,
and my pain is ever before me.
I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
(Psalm 38:17-18)

Psalm 38

Do Not Forsake Me, O LORD

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath!
For your arrows have sunk into me,
    and your hand has come down on me.

There is no soundness in my flesh
    because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
    because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and fester
    because of my foolishness,
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
    all the day I go about mourning.
For my sides are filled with burning,
    and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and crushed;
    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing is before you;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
10  My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11  My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
    and my nearest kin stand far off.

12  Those who seek my life lay their snares;
    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
    and meditate treachery all day long.

13  But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
    like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14  I have become like a man who does not hear,
    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

15  But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16  For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
    who boast against me when my foot slips!”

17  For I am ready to fall,
    and my pain is ever before me.
18  I confess my iniquity;
    I am sorry for my sin.
19  But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
    and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20  Those who render me evil for good
    accuse me because I follow after good.

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!

Dive Deeper | Psalm 38

Time has run out, but UT is still trying for a miraculous victory. They think they can win, but their best efforts cannot save the game . . .

It was the same with David. Most scholars think this psalm was written after David had an adulterous affair. Instead of repenting, he started scheming. When he learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, he had Uriah come home so the child would appear to be his. But when he did not sleep with her, David had Uriah killed. David then married her before the baby came! (2 Samuel 11)

This is exhausting to read. The prophet Nathan told David that God was not pleased with his behavior. Can you imagine what David felt?

As a coach's daughter, I sometimes think in football terms. In David's situation, the "coach" is mad at him. He feels disqualified to play in future games. His opponents are yelling insults. His fans turn against him. When he makes a good play, they say it is bad. He becomes physically ill and cannot even defend himself.

So did David quit the "game" (live in isolation and pity) or go to another "team" (life not following the one true God)? No! He finally faced his sin and his Savior. In verse 4 David cried, "For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me." He agreed with God that he was worthy of God's wrath and discipline. Facing the consequences of his sin was not as bad as a broken relationship with God.

We can find God's promise to never forsake us in both the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 31:6) and the New Testament (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5). And we can remember the truth of 1 John 1:8-10.

I have never been on a football team, but I have disappointed my "fans" (family and friends) and my "coach" (God). I bet you have too. Let's confess (agree with God that we have fallen short), repent (turn from that sin), claim the promises of God (He will always forgive and never forsake), pick ourselves up, and get back in the game!

Discussion Questions

1. Do you prioritize knowing the will of God? (Ephesians 5:10, 17)

2. How do you know what pleases the Lord? (2 Timothy 3:16 and Romans 12:2)

3. Do you believe your sin is "so bad" that God could never forgive you? If so, meditate on Romans 8:1. Then remind yourself that it was NEVER because of your performance or lack of sin that Jesus saved you, but because of His grace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

4. On the other hand, do you take your sin too lightly? Read Romans 6:1-2 for a reminder.