What does sin doe to a believer of Jesus Christ? Sin has it allure, but it is also deadly. Read this psalm to gain a new perspective of what sins can do in the life of Christians.
Commentary:
Psalm 38:1-2. These two verses can sound contradictory. In verse 1, the palmist asks God to withhold chastisement. It sounds like God has not started disciplining him. But verse 2 describes an ongoing punishment. Can the two be reconciled?
Psalm 38:3-4. In these two verses, the psalmist gives details of the punishment. He is experiencing some infirmity in his body. He is both weakened and sick.
The psalmist also tells the reason of his misery. He is frail because he has sinned. His transgressions weigh on him like a boulder. How can sin make a person feel so sick?
The New Testament has many passages about the flesh and the spirit. The flesh and the spirit are opposite to each other. The flesh is born in sin, while the spirit is born of God. A spiritually born again Christian has the spirit within and has the desire to live to please God. When he/she sins, he/she is in pain because sin is against the spirit. He/she can identify with what the psalmist describes here in these two verses and the next four verses. Sinning can cause physical ailments and emotional anguish. God can also bring discipline to His people through physical sickness. Like the psalmist, Christians may not be able to discern whether the ailment is caused by our sins and is a consequence of God’s discipline to our sins. Rather than focusing on what it is, we should focus on the sin and our righteous standing in God.
Psalm 38:11-12. The effect of sin can cause a break in fellowship. The relatives and friends of David stayed afar when they realized God is disciplining him. Moreover, his enemies plan to attack him in his weakened state.
Psalm 38:13-14. Sin can also silence the people of God. We can no longer testify for God because we have lost our testimony. We cannot defend ourselves when unrighteousness is found in us.
Psalm 38:15. Yet the psalmist knows that God is very forgiving. So he can hope in God. He can petition God for forgiveness.
Psalm 38:18. The psalmist will no longer hide his sin and is willing to confess to his God.
Psalm 38:21. The psalmist calls out to God in personal term. The Lord is his God. Despite his sins, he confidently asks God to be near him, which is a sign of acceptance.
Meditation:
Sin itself is a powerful weapon against Christians. It can destroy us both physically and spiritually. It can destroy the fellowship bond between brothers and sisters. It will also give our enemies opportunities further opportunities to destroy us. Finally, sin can destroy the testimony of Christians. We would appear as hypocrites to the world.
Brothers and sisters, avoid sins at all costs. If we are caught in them, be sure that we confess our sins to God, for He would forgive us our sins.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we confess that we have sinned against Thee. We pray that you will restore us in your righteousness. We pray that the blood of Jesus can wash us clean. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.