An Urgent Appeal for Relief
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Psalm 38
1. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy anger, nor chasten me in thy wrath! 2. For thy arrows have sunk into me, and thy hand has come down on me. 3. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thy indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4. For my iniquities have gone over my head; they weigh like a burden too heavy for me. 5. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my foolishness, 6. I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. 7. For my loins are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8. I am utterly spent and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart. 9. Lord, all my longing is known to thee, my sighing is not hidden from thee. 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 kinsmen stand afar off. 12. Those who seek my life lay their snares, those who seek my hurt speak of ruin, and meditate treachery all the day long. 13. But I am like a deaf man, I do not hear, like a dumb man who does not open his mouth. 14. Yea, I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes. 15. But for thee, O Lord, do I wait; it is thou, O Lord my God, who wilt answer. 16. For I pray, "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 with me. 18. I confess my iniquity, I am sorry for my sin. 19. Those who are my foes without cause are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. 20. Those who render me evil for good are my adversaries 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!
I had so much trouble finding the scripture upon which to reflect this morning! I think I’m “blocking” God’s message to me, in part because I return to work today after a week of living completely immersed in God’s word at Lake Junaluska with fellow Christians and seekers. So many youth came to Christ last week! So many of us renewed our commitment—and vowed to be better Christians. But this morning, I return to “the real world.” Back to work. Back to rush hour traffic. Back to phones ringing and fax machines whirring. Back to living and working side-by-side with those who are not saved. And it’s really bugging me!
God revealed so much to me last week about things in my life I need to give up to him, and things within me I need to turn over to him. So many burdens I should not be bearing—but they have become a part of me. And no matter how heavy, how painful they have been—and continue to be—they have become almost comfortable. But He wants me to release them. That’s the only way I’ll be open to His direction, and that’s the only way I’ll have the strength and energy to live in a world full of unsaved sinners. It’s the only way I’ll have the courage and the fortitude to stand firm in my beliefs and to be a light to those who haven’t heard the Good News—or at least who haven’t accepted it yet!
It’s so easy to be a Christian when in the midst of 500 seekers! No television, no telephone, no carpools, no meals to prepare, no shopping, no distractions. Today I venture out of that cocoon and return to the real world. I hesitate. I ask God to ease my discontent, my discomfort, my weariness. He alone is my strength and my hope. He alone gives my life meaning. He alone sustains me.
David is suffering from a physical ailment of some severe nature in this psalm. But I applied his physical distress to my spiritual distress. When we are uneasy, unsure, feel unqualified and unable to be strong and sure and good and right, we must turn to God. He will never turn His back on us. He will never disappoint us. He will never leave us alone.
I’m not complaining. My distress is not debilitating. It is more like an anticipation of an unpleasant task—even though you know it will be okay—it’s still unpleasant. God is so good! And I am going to work very hard to turn all my burdens over to him. I want to be unyoked of my burdens, because they weigh me down. They distract me from worshipping my God. They inhibit my joy. And most of all they prevent me from loving God with my whole heart and mind and soul.
I hope you spend your day turning over your burdens to the only God who is big enough and strong enough to bear them for you.
Mary
