Following Jesus 126

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

As we examine the plight of everyday pilgrims crushed by the weight and burden of their sin, what can we learn from King David in Psalm 38? 

First of all, when God brings the sinner to a realization of their burden of sin, whether they be saved or not, they acknowledge that this is their personal burden. This is how David begins his psalm. 

“O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!” vs. 1.  David addresses Yahweh as one who has the right to discipline him. Yet, David pleads that the LORD would not do so. Even so, David acknowledges that he deserves such discipline. He blames no one else for his situation. David does not blame others for his sin. He accepts the responsibility in all its ugliness. 

What effect does this burden have upon the pilgrim? It becomes a sickening burden. “For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh, because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones, because of my sin.” Vs. 2-3.

The symbol of arrows refers to God’s arrows of judgment (Deuteronomy 32:23). Job, and Jeremiah both complained about God’s arrows sunk deep into them (Job 6:4; Lamentations 3:12). God’s judgment has penetrated deep into David’s soul. 

Additionally, God power and control has descended and pierced David. The result of which is that David is sick of soul and body. This is all due to his sin. 

David never reveals to the reader what specific sin he has in mind. Perhaps it is just as well. If we knew what the sin was, maybe we would dismiss it as one we would never commit. Since we do not know what the sin is, we can identify with David’s lament. 

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