Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Bible Study / Summer Psalms

Psalm 38 Part 2  08/05/01

Review: Two weeks ago when we looked at the first 9 verses of Psalm 38 I said that an important key to this psalm is found in the title 'A Psalm of David, for a memorial'.  Well, I am sorry that I did not speak about the different wording in the NIV which says 'A Psalm of David, a petition.' .

     I honestly do not know why the NIV uses the word 'petition'. The Hebrew word used is 'ZAKAR' which, according to the Theological Wordbook of the OT, is translated 172 times as 'remember'  and only  8 times as something else. Perhaps the NIV used one of the other 8 times. But, it should read a remembrance or memorial.

     Anyway, I said that most of us would rather forget our sin as soon as possible.  But before our sin can be forgotten, it must be remembered, and confessed to the Lord. It is only then that we will know peace and healing in our lives.

In Psalm 38:1 we saw that in times of suffering we are to...
I. Look Up  (Psalm 38:1)

     I said that when we walk faithfully before God He often brings blessing into our lives. But it is also true that when we walk disobediently before God, He can bring sickness as a form of discipline into our lives as well.

In vs 2-8 we saw that in times of suffering we are to...
II. Look within (Psalm 38:2-8)

     When we disobey God, He has many ways to get our attention. Sometimes He allows physical and emotional suffering for that reason. David freely admits in this Psalm that his current physical suffering and depression is because of his sin and God's discipline.

     However, we saw that most sickness is not the result of unconfessed sin or God's chastening hand. But it was here in Davids case and he knew it...and so will we should God choose to discipline us in this way when we try to hide our sin.

 In vs 9 we saw that in times of suffering, once we look within we are to...
III. Look Up (Psalm 38:9)

     The reason many people, even some Christians stay looking within and around instead of looking up to God when suffering is because they really don't believe in their heart of hearts that He is listening or that He truly cares about them.  As long as people believe that God is not listening or cannot see them, their sin will continue to be hidden and it will fester.

    But David  looks up and adds this prayer to God to praise Him for His omniscience, to glorify God for truly being intimately interested in the lives of His children. So when David looks up to God here in prayer, it brings him great comfort.

Introduction: This morning we will look at the rest of  Psalm 38. It is here that the Psalmist gets real with God concerning his sin..something Christians rarely do..am I right?

     One thing Christians like to do is rename sin so it doesn't sound as bad. Who wants to be told they are guilty of sin? Who wants to be told they must repent or turn away from their sin...something they probably really enjoy? No one...not even prominent religious leaders who use words like 'moral failure' and 'momentary lapse' to replace the word...sin!  It doesn't sound as bad does it?

     How about this rendering of Rom 3:23 'For all have experienced momentary lapses and have come up a tad shy of the Divine Entity's ideal, but hey, nobody's perfect. So don't worry, be happy'. Doesn't that sound better than ' For all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory'?

Explanation: The problem is, this is just another way to hide sin. And this is what the Psalmist, David, is now trying to make right in his life. He had hid his sin but now, he calls it what it is...my sin, my iniquity.

     When we call sin something else, we are covering up and hiding our sin and God is not pleased. Do you know what I am saying?

 Think. Are you experiencing God's chastening hand because of unconfessed, hidden sin in your life?

 Do you call sin something else to lessen your guilt?
 Do you feel disconnected from other Christians?
 Do you feel separated from God?

     Then listen to David and see what he does to be healed; emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Trans: Open you Bibles to Psalm 38:10, where we will see that David now...

IV. Look Around (Psalm 38:10-14)
Read: Psalm 38:10-14

     David looks around and sees that his hidden, unconfessed sin has brought him great anxiety...David said 'my heart throbs, my strength fails me, the light of my eyes has gone from me'.

     I believe David was experiencing what we call a panic attack.  His mind and body were at war with his spirit and David lost all perspective. He wanted to do something about his sin but was too weak and too confused.

     What's worse, is that when he looks around for his family and friends, for support and help, they are no where to be found. It seems all have forsaken him. He feels abandoned and isolated in his distress. Only his enemies are left and they are continuing to plot against him.

     In vs 13-14, David admits something that was very hard for a mighty, proud man like David to admit...he basically says 'Lord, I'm too depressed and discouraged to even lift my hands up in prayer. I am too confused to speak, too drained and empty. I have nothing to say, I have no argument left.'

     David has hit rock bottom, here in vs 13-14. He is left speechless before God...and before his family and friends who have abandoned him.

     As points of application there are three things I want to look at here in vs 10-14.

     First, David's friends and family didn't want to be around him when he was suffering for his sin.  No one wanted to come close to David, to hear his complaints, to sympathize with his grief. Like the priest and Levite of Luke 10:31 they passed on the other side to avoid contact with him.

     And we are often guilty of the same thing. Very few enjoy being around someone who is physically sick or deeply depressed, whether it is the result of sin or not. And our reluctance to be around them often makes the situation more difficult for the one hurting. But, the sense of isolation, abandonment and suffering people feel should encourage the Christian to do the opposite of their natural tendencies. The Believer should go to those who are suffering, help them, serve them, comfort them, pray with them. God's Word says that Christians will be known by their love for one another. And it doesn't give limits to love only the lovely, healthy and emotionally stable.

     The second point of application is this. Perhaps David contributed to his own sense of isolation. Perhaps he was too ashamed to approach those closest to him and ask for help. Does this sound familiar? I can handle it, I don't need anyone's help. besides, I don't want anyone to find out just how messed up I am. We don't want others to see through our weakly constructed 'I'm  Ok' facade.  When we don't let anyone in our isolation grows deeper and we fall into a greater depression. We need each other. Don't play games, be honest and allow the Spirit to work through other Believers to bring healing to your life.

    Finally, it is often in this time of isolation that we see the truth...that we are the one ultimately responsible for our own sin and that we alone must go to God, on our knees seeking God's mercy.

Transition: And that is what David finally does in vs 15-18. From his knees, he looks up to seek God's mercy and forgiveness.

V. Look Up (Psalm 38:15-18)
Read: Ps. 38:15-18

     David says that even though my enemies are wishing evil against me, even though I am isolated and all alone, even though I am near death and in the depths of depression. I will hope in God. For He is my Lord, and Master. In Him will I place my trust. All others have failed me, but You will remain ever faithful, for You are God. And because you are God, and know the hidden places of my heart, I confess my sin to You.

     He expresses to God the depth of his sorrow over his hidden and unconfessed sin. This is the road back from rock bottom. This is the road to forgiveness, healing and restoration.

Transition: But we are prone to wander, as the old hymn reminds us. Even while David waits for the Lord, he takes his eyes off God just long enough to...

VI. Look Around (Psalm 38:19-20)
Read: Ps. 38:19-20

     David looked around and saw that his enemies were strong and their number was increasing. And these were people who did not seek the face of God, who did what was evil in God's sight. They were prospering at David's expense and he was afraid.

Transition: And in fear David once again...

VII. Look Up  (Psalm 38:21-22)
Read: Ps 38:21-22

     David realizes more now than ever that he needs God's presence to be with him. He realizes that no matter how bad the situation, if God is with him, he need not be afraid. David cries out for God to come quickly to his aid. And he calls upon the name Jehovah..the personal, covenant keeping God.

     David acknowledges that God alone is his salvation. CH Spurgeon said that 'He who has the Lord on his side has salvation as a present possession.' David knew and trusted that, and he desired, once again, to experience, to know, to depend upon God's presence in his life.

     The last line of this Psalm is the theme of all Scripture, O Lord, my salvation. David reminds us that salvation comes from the Lord and no one or nothing else can save. We can not attain it for ourselves. But it is provided for all who confess their sin to God and place their faith, their trust in Him.

Conclusion: One of the themes, I believe, of AA is 'You are only as sick as your secrets'. David has told us that if your secrets are unconfessed, hidden sin, then you can end up very sick, isolated and deeply depressed. These secret sins will wreak havoc on your soul, if they are not given over to God.

     This is Communion Sunday, the day we especially remember that Christ died for our sin so that we might be made right with God. Are you right with God, or is there some hidden sin that is eating away at your peace and joy in life? Give it up..reveal it to the Lord, confess it and lay it at the feet of the cross. Experience the healing power of Jesus Christ through confession and assurance of His forgiveness. And His forgiveness is assured by what the Communion elements represent.

     I realize that we have already had a Unison Confession of Prayer in our worship time this morning. But perhaps, you weren't ready to go to that hidden place in your heart where your unconfessed sin resides.

 But, perhaps now you have identified with David here in this Psalm.
 Perhaps God's Word has had it's way in your heart so that you are saddened by your sin.
 Perhaps you fear God's discipline directed against your sin.
 Perhaps you feel the heavy hand of God on your heart, right now as David did in this Psalm.

         God will not let you pass the buck of responsibility for your sin. Do what David did. Look up to God right now, tell Him you are sorry for hiding sin in your heart and ask Him to bring forgiveness and peace.  Speak these words of David, before almighty God...