May 20th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

When All You Have Is Pain

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Opening Prayer

Lord, Your ways are from of old, yet Your works are ever new. Make me grateful for the past, and open to the future.

Read Psalm 38:1-22

[1] A psalm of David. A petition. O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. [2] For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. [3] Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness 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. [7] My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. [8] I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. [9] All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. [10] My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. [11] My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. [12] Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. [13] I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; [14] I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. [15] I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God. [16] For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” [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 are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. [20] Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. [21] O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. [22] Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him, quoting him, and speaking for him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus” (Joni Eareckson Tada).

Think Further

This psalm is one of almost unrelieved suffering. We don’t know what lies behind it, but the psalmist is clearly suffering from physical illness (3). As a result, when his vulnerability is exploited by his enemies (11,12), he is deserted by his friends just when he needs them most. For all the expression of anguish, the psalmist is conscious of God’s role in his suffering.

First, the psalmist confesses that he is being disciplined by God because of his sin (1-8). Sickness is not always the result of God punishing us (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-5) but it sometimes is the means by which he disciplines his wayward children (1 Cor. 11:27-31; Heb. 12:4-13). Second, he knows his life is open before God (9). Others judge superficially and back away from him or gloat over him, but God knows the sighing of his heart, his deep repentance and his longing for restoration (18). Third, he expresses deep trust in God (15,16) and waits for him to step in and bring him healing. Although he has stumbled, he has not fallen irrecoverably (Psa. 37:24). He remains the Lord’s child and is confident he will be rescued. He believes the Lord’s justice will be brought to bear where he has been treated unjustly (19,20). It isn’t always possible to exercise such trust quietly and, here, the psalmist is so distressed that his tortured trust soon gives way to a cry for help. So, fourth, he shouts for salvation from God (20-22) who alone can help him.

Like many other psalms, this one deals with the pain of our broken lives. It helps us voice our distress and wisely molds our thinking so that we bring God into the picture, keeping faith alive, rather than permitting ourselves to descend into self-pity.

Apply

Consider the discipline of the Lord. In what ways have you experienced it, and why? How did you respond to it and what did you learn from it?

Closing prayer

Father, shine the light of Your truth upon my less-than-perfect heart. Forgive me when I befriend sin and oppose righteousness. Keep me faithful to You.

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