Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
1 “O LORD, do not rebuke me in YOUR anger! Do not discipline me in YOUR rage! 2 YOUR arrows have struck deep, and YOUR blows are crushing me. 3 Because of YOUR anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. 4 My guilt overwhelms me – it is a burden too heavy to bear. 5 My wounds fester and sink because of my foolish sins. 6 I am bent over and racked with pain. My days are filled with grief. 7 A raging fever burns within me, and my health is broken. 8 I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart.” ~ Psalm 38:1-8
This is called a penitential psalm because David expressed sorrow for his sin (38:18). He stated that his sin lead to health problems (38:1-8) and separated him from GOD and others, causing extreme loneliness (38:9-14). He then confessed his sin and repented (38:15-22).
Just as a child might cry to his father, so David cried to GOD. David was not saying, “Do not punish me.” He was saying, “Do not punish me while you are angry.” He acknowledged that he deserved to be punished, but he asked that GOD temper HIS discipline with mercy. Like children, we are free to ask for mercy, but we should not deny that we deserve punishment. David saw his anguish as judgment from GOD for his sins. Although GOD does not always send physical illness to punish us for sin, this verse and others in Scripture indicate that HE does in certain circumstances. – 20 “Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. So they sent a delegation to make peace with him because their cities were dependent upon Herod’s country for their food. They made friends with Blastus, Herod’s personal assistant, 21 and an appointment with Herod was granted. When the day arrived, Herod put on he royal robes, sat on his throne, and made a speech to them. 22 The people gave him a great ovation, shouting, “It is the voice of a god, not of a man!” 23 Instantly, an angel of the LORD struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to GOD. So he was consumed with worms and died.” – Acts 12:20-23 – Herod died a horrible death accompanied by intense pain; he was literally eaten alive, from the inside out, by worms. To be eaten by worms was considered to be one of the most disgraceful ways to die. Pride is a serious sin, and in Herod’s case, GOD chose to punish it immediately. GOD does not immediately punish all sin, but HE will bring all to judgment.
Our sin can have physical or mental side effects that can cause great suffering. Sometimes GOD has to punish HIS children in order to bring them back to HIMSELF. – 5 “And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words GOD spoke to you, HIS children? HE said, ‘My child, do not ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and do not be discouraged when HE corrects you. 6 For the LORD disciplines those HE loves, and HE punishes those HE accepts as HIS children.’ 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that GOD is treating you as HIS own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? 8 If GOD does not discipline you as HE does all of HIS children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really HIS children after all. 9 Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? 10 For our earthly fathers discipline us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But GOD’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in HIS holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” – Hebrews 12:5-11 – Who loves his child more – the father who allows the child to do what will harm him, or the one who corrects, trains, and even punishes the child to help him learn what is right? It is never pleasant to be corrected and disciplined by GOD, but HIS discipline is a sign of HIS deep love for us. When GOD corrects us, we should see it as proof of HIS love, and ask HIM what HE is trying to teach us. When we repent of our sins, GOD promises to forgive us. HE delivers us from sin’s eternal consequences, although HE does not promise to undo all of sin’s earthly consequences.
We may respond to discipline in several ways: (1) We can accept it with resignation; (2) we can accept it with self-pity, thinking we really do not deserve it; (3) we can be angry and resentful toward GOD; or (4) we can accept it gratefully, as the appropriate response we owe a loving Father. – What will your response be?
Father, we are human and sometimes we forget who we are and that there are consequences for us as YOUR children when we continue to live in sin without repentance. Father GOD, we know YOU love us and when YOU correct us YOU are training us to learn what is right. Help us to see that in those times when YOU have to correct us it is proof of YOUR love for us, just as we correct our children because we love them. Show us LORD what YOU are trying to teach us during our season of discipline. Help us to know that we must repent of our sins and YOU will forgive us and deliver us from the eternal consequences of those sins. We thank YOU for YOUR mercy and we thank YOU for YOUR grace.
Photo: Tamarindo (Costa Rica)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
