February 21, 2015 – Saturday

Start Time: 7:46 AM

End Time: 8:24 AM

Title: A Psalm Of David. A Petition

Scripture: Psalm 38:1 – 22

God’s Message / God’s Promise / God’s Commands:

→ This chapter is a prayer of petition from David.  If you read it through, clearly, this is a prayer after David made a huge mistake or sin.  That's why at the start of this psalm, he sought first and foremost for God's grace.  Asking God not to rebuke him in anger or discipline him in His wrath.  David said discipline and rebuke, which denotes that he did something wrong that's why it requires rebuke or discipline.  So it is possible that this chapter was a prayer of petition for forgiveness, more of his confession prayer and request for pardon after doing something wrong.  Normally, when we confess we speak of the sins we did - telling God how wrong it was and how stupid we are (maybe) but the core of the prayer is the sin we did - that's the confession we thought of and believe to be.  But as I read thru this chapter, I can see that David has a different view of what confession is about.

He started out with seeking for God's Grace or underserved favor from God to be pardoned or saved from what he is supposed to endure because of what he did.  But in verse 2, David said that God's arrows have pierced him and God's hand has come down on him.  So clearly, David was suffering the consequence of his actions.  Possibly he is experiencing defeat, or worries or panic or whatever causes him to struggle at that point after he sinned.  But note that the emphasis of this chapter. This chapter emphasize on the condition of David after he made the terrible mistake.  David spoke of his body with no health; of his guilt overwhelming him like a burden to heavy to bear; he spoke of wounds festering in him because of his sin; how this sin has brought him low.  He continued on how this sin has afflicted him - filling his back with searing pain; how he is feeble and utterly crushed.  Now wait a minute, are we talking of the same David who defeated a bear and a lion with his bare hands?  The same David who killed 10,000 men in one battle?  So what is David talking about himself as feeble or utterly crushed.  So clearly, David illustrated that his sin cause an effect on his physical health.

In verse 9, David said that his longings lie open before the Lord and his sighs are not hidden before Him; he speaks of his heart pounds and his strength failing him - now he is talking of his sin affecting his emotional state?  David said his friends and companions avoid him because of his wounds - now he is talking of his social status.  He spoke of his enemies plotting to harm him all day long - now he is speaking of his worries.  So not only does his sin affect his physical condition, it also impacted his emotional being and social status.

In verse 13, David continued on saying that he is like a deaf who cannot hear, like a mute who cannot speak; he spoke of his mental capacity to reason or speak and ability to listen - now this sin impacted his mental state and whole psychological being.  Wow!  Can sin do this?  Well, David said it can!  It infiltrates our whole being from our bodies, minds, hearts, and even social abilities. 

In verse 15, David said "Lord I wait for you.  You will answer, Lord my God.  For I said, do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip." Despite of his present condition, David was hopeful that God will reply back to him.  David was confident in his faith that God will hear him. 

In verse 17, David's confession came out, which is admitting defeat and surrendering before the Lord.  He pleaded for God acknowledging his weakness and his ability to not able to control things on his own.  David spoke of his sin troubling him and his concerns and worries due to this.  David spoke of people becoming his enemies without cause and their schemes against him despite of his good intentions.  David clearly was seeing the near of his end at this point yet he remained faithful in his belief that God will not forsake him and He will come to help him for the Lord is His Savior.

Reviewing this confession of David, he did not linger on the mistake he did but instead, he elaborated his condition or the impact of sin in his life - showing humility before God.  Showing God that he sees the results of his wrong actions and how sin an lead him into a dangerous situation.  He spoke of the power of sin in his life and the need of a Savior for He is weak and unable to survive with the Lord.  In the whole chapter, what I learned in David's confession is David's need of a Savior!  Now that is confession!  Hallelujah!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, amazing God!  Thank You because You are my Savior and You do not forsake me nor abandoned me.  Lord thank You for this.  Again and again, You show me how David prays and it is all about You truly.  Whether he is confessing of his sins or he is praying in joy for the victory You gave him, in all these, he speaks of one thing and that is His need of You!  Lord, I need You!  I know I am nothing without You and clearly, everything I am is a failure without You Jesus.  So I never want to be in a situation that I will be comfortable living without You in my life, Jesus.  You are my life and my existence.  Life without You is not life at all.  I humbly admit my need of You each day Lord.  Thank You for You will supply my need every day according to Your richness and glory.  That's why I am sure that I have abundance of You Jesus every day for You are my ultimate need in life.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!