Daily Devotions – Do not rebuke me

Daily Devotions – Do not rebuke me

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

Psalm 38:1-6,15-22 (NIV)
A psalm of David. A petition.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.

15 Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. 16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” 17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me.18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.19 Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. 20 Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good. 21 Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.

When we confess our sins, we have several excellent examples in the Psalms. King David committed many sins, several of which led to painful consequences in his life. But after falling, he would return to God in true remorse, confessing his sin and seeking not only God’s mercy, but God’s help for the future. Let David’s words enrich your own confession. Be sure to acknowledge how your sin has caused pain to you and others (v. 5). Go ahead and share your frustration about how others are gloating or taking advantage of your faults (vv. 16, 19-20). Then confidently call on God’s mercy and help (vv. 15, 22).