Growth Through Chastening, Repentance, and Forgiveness

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 38:1-22

Psalm 38:21-22

Do not forsake me, O Lord;
O my God, be not far from me!
²² Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!

(NKJV)

 

Sin is missing the mark with God, and what separates us from a relationship with Him. Adam and Eve had an intimate relationship with God until they sinned, and God evicted from the paradise of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). The good news for us all is sins separation from God does not need to be permanent because we have a merciful and gracious God. David knew this, and it is to God he offered this prayer during a time of chastening in his life.

 

Psalm 38 begins with David asking the Lord not to chasten him in His hot displeasure or to let His arrows of discipline pierce him deeply or for his hand of chastening to press him down (Psalm 38:1-2). Because of the Lord’s anger there is no soundness in David’s flesh nor health in his bones because of his sin (Psalm 38:3). David admits his iniquities have gone over his head and are a burden too heavy for him to carry (Psalm 38:4). David admits that his foolishness has caused foul and festering wounds to his soul (Psalm 38:5).

 

David is troubled, bowed down, and in mourning all day long due to his iniquities (Psalm 38:6). This has led to his loins or thighs being full of inflammation with no soundness in his flesh, leaving David feeble and severely broken with his heart in great turmoil (Psalm 38:7-8). However, even in this state, David acknowledges his desire is before the Lord with his sighing not hidden from the Lord (Psalm 38:9). David is honest with the Lord, admitting his heart pants or is thirsty and his strength fails him, with the light of his eyes gone from him (Psalm 38:10). David’s plague does not go unnoticed with his friends, loved ones, and relatives avoiding him and those seeking his life laying snares for him and seeking his destruction (Psalm 38:11-12).

 

David is like a deaf mute who cannot hear or open his mouth to speak or complain (Psalm 38:13-14). Instead, David’s hope is in the Lord, and he knows the Lord will hear him because he has asked the Lord to hear him, so his enemies do not rejoice and exalt themselves against him (Psalm 38:15-16). David admits he is ready to fall with his sorrow continually before him (Psalm 38:17). David is repentant over his sin, openly declaring it and in anguish over it (Psalm 38:18).

 

However, David’s enemies are vigorous and strong with those hating him multiplying (Psalm 38:19). David’s adversaries are those rendering evil for good because David follows what is good, His Lord (Psalm 38:20). David concludes the psalm by asking the Lord not to forsake him or be far from him but to make haste in coming to help him because He is his Lord and salvation (Psalm 38:21-22).

 

David finds himself in a time of chastening for his sin and offers this prayer. David has a repentant heart, acknowledging his sin while seeking the Lord’s mercy without making excuses for what he has done (Psalm 38:1-8). However, this is only the first step of repentance because repentance is a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction of the sin one has committed. In David’s case, he also acknowledges that the Lord is his hope and that he desires to hear from the Lord (Psalm 38:15). When we acknowledge our sin and vow to turn from it, we need not fear because the Lord is right there to accept us like the father accepting the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24). The Lord promised not to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

 

When facing times of chastening from the Lord, we may feel uncomfortable praying, but this prayer of David shows us a man with a repentant heart praying to God during a time of chastening. Satan, our enemy, may tell us that the sin we committed is too great and unforgivable. This is a lie from Satan because 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us.

 

However, in many churches today, there is little mention of sin, with the doctrine of cheap grace taught, teaching that God has forgiven our sins and that there is no need to repent. This is a deceptive theology and promotes one remaining in their life of sin instead of growing closer to the Lord. A biblical example of this is the Church in Corinth, with Paul telling them their sin prevented them from receiving the deeper truth about the Bible, relegating them to a diet of the basics (1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:12-13). Like a child who matures through discipline, a child of God matures through repentance when corrected and learning from the word of God, the Bible.

 

Perhaps you are reading this and believe God will not hear you because of the great sin in your life. This is a lie from Satan designed to prevent you from receiving salvation, which is not based on what you have done, or not done, but on the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). If you find yourself in this condition, I invite you to pause and pray with me now.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed, rest assured that God has totally forgiven you and that you are a child of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:12). Find a Church teaching the truth of the Bible so you can learn more about the Lord. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.