Hope Maketh Not Ashamed

Psalm 44:1-26

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil.

“We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.  How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; how thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.  For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.” (Psalm 44:1-3)

The Jews knew their history, how that God had repeatedly saved them from their enemies.  He had defeated and driven out the occupants of Canaan.  They had not gained the land through their own power or military skill, but because God acted on their behalf, favoring them over the original inhabitants. 

“Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob.  Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.  For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.  In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. ” (Psalm 44:4-8)

David had placed his faith in God and expected him to give the victory through his power.  He was not depending on his military power or strategies to give victory.   Time after time God had given the victory in the past, and they praised God and boasted about his deliverance.

“But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.  Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves.  Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen.  Thou sellest thy people for nought, and dost not increase thy wealth by their price.  Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.  Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.” (Psalm 44:9-14)

David and his men had returned to Ziklag, only to find their families had been kidnapped while they were gone in I Samuel 30.  They had been trying to do what God said, and the Amalekites had stolen everything they owned.  It seemed like there was no hope in trusting God anymore.  The Jews had rejected them and the Philistines would not stop their attacks on Israel to come to their rescue. 

“My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,  For the voice of him that reproacheth and blasphemeth; by reason of the enemy and avenger.  All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant.  Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. “ (Psalm 44:15-19)

It was really confusing to find that after all their efforts to serve God, he would allow such things to happen to them.  They had not turned their backs on him or broken his commands, even though they were forced to live in the desert, with the lizards and snakes and hide in the shadows to keep from being executed.  It was hard to understand why God allowed wicked people like the Amalekites to do such things to them. 

If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.  Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.  

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.  Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?  For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth.  Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake. “ (Psalm 44:20-26)

If David and his men had turned their backs on God or begun worshipping other gods, they knew God would know about it because he knows the very thoughts of a person’s heart, but they were putting their lives at risk to serve and obey God.  It seemed unfair that God was allowing these things to happen.  Had he gone to sleep and forgotten about them or just decided to find someone else.  Why did it seem like he wasn’t even aware of what they were feeling?  He asks again the God intervene on their behalf.   

Christians today often come to that same point of feeling God doesn’t care and that no one else has ever had such problems.    As I Corinthians 10:13 states, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”   Though it seems we are the only ones who have had such a problem it is actually common and most other people have or will feel the same struggle.  We have the assurance God will make a way to overcome it if we trust him. 

Though they were so depressed and hurt by what had happened, David and his men trusted God  and I Samuel 30:17-19 describes the results.   “And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled.  And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.  And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all.”  Though it seemed hopeless, they recovered everything that had been taken and more.     When we trust God we will always find our hope justified.

Why Be Depressed?

Psalm 43:1-5

The chapter and verse divisions were added into the scriptures long after they were originally written, for the purpose of making it easier to locate a passage.   The breaks do not necessarily follow the logical breaks in the passage, with verses frequently breaking in the middle of a sentence or chapters breaking in the middle of a story.  Unfortunately, as humans, we tend to stop at those breaks, with the result that sometimes we miss part of the story.  It was not until I began to write this blog that I realized this chapter is actually the conclusion of the previous chapter rather than a different Psalm.   

“Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man.  For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” (Psalm 43:1-2)

David had struggled with depression, yet he knew that God would have mercy on him, forgiving his sin and imputing his faith to him for righteousness.  Though they had made many false accusations against him, he asks that God would show the truth, that by following Saul’s leadership rather than seeking God’s, Israel was sinning, trying to destroy and innocent man.  Despite his faith, he was still struggling with why God was allowing their attacks on him.  He knew God was the source of strength, but he still felt as if God had deserted him. 

Our emotional reaction to a situation often has little relation to the facts of the situation.  While it was designed to enable us to respond quickly to threats, a person must learn to channel the surge of energy into a logical solution, or one is likely to react in a counterproductive manner.  Since the emotions are always reactive rather than proactive, they frequently take time to catch up with reality, and if allowed to control our thinking, they may prevent seeing the reality.  As a result, our emotions are one of the easiest ways for Satan to gain control of our mind, keeping us depressed or angry. 

“O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.  Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.” (Psalm 43:3-4)

David prays that God would send his understanding so that he could see the truth and come to
God in appreciation and confidence.  The result would be a change in his emotions, resulting in rejoicing and praise rather than depression.   John 16:13 tells us, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”  As we allow the Holy Spirit to show us the truth, our emotions will become far more stable, without the extremes of excitement or depression.    

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 43:5)

God is still in control of the universe, and neither his love nor his promises have changed.   Why do our emotions lead to depression?  God will still keep his promises protecting us and guiding us.  We just need to turn to him and depend on him, letting the Holy Spirit guide us.  Either depression or extreme excitement indicate we are not walking in the Spirit.  

Craving God’s Presence

Psalm 42:1-11

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?  My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” (Psalm 42:1-3)

Maschil means to be circumspect or intelligent.  David describes himself as longing for the presence of God like a deer which has been fleeing from her enemies or lost in the desert longs for a drink of water, wondering when she will find another drink.  The thirst has been aggravated by Satan or other people asking why God doesn’t answer or take action, with the result that he feels like the only relief has come from his own tears. 

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (Psalm 42:4-5)

He had been to church and had heard the promises a of God’s love and presence and had been excited to hear them, singing and praising the Lord with the rest of the crowd.  His question is why he feels so alone and unloved in the present situation?  He knows God will keep his promises, but his emotions are running wild.  Why can’t they just accept God’s promise and give him some relief? 

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.   Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.  Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:6-8)

Depressed by his feelings of separation from God, David deliberately chooses to remember what God has done for him in the past, in various situations.    Though it seems like he is about to drown under all his problems and what he hears sounds like there is worse to come, remembering what God has done in the past raises his hope that God will reach out to him to protect him in the day and sing a song to comfort him when he can’t see what is going on.  His prayer will be focused on God. 

“I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?  As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” (Psalm 42:9-10)

Even when he remembers what God has done in the past, and has hope for the future he will still be asking why God allows him to feel deserted and alone mas a result of Satanic attacks.  The accusations and mockery of those around him still hurts like a sword in his bones.   

What David describes is a common sensation among people who serve God, but our emotions tell us  we are the only one who has ever experienced such difficulty and God has forgotten us.    I Corinthians 10:13 tells us, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”     

Other people have the same struggles we experience, and God has dealt with them before.  He will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can deal with, even though they exceed our strength, because he always provides a way for us to escape defeat and destruction.  We just need to let him show us how to get it because we can’t do it on our own.  The problem is that like a person having a panic attack, we become so focused on our emotions we cannot think logically, with the result we freeze up and are unable to respond effectively.  Satan often uses our emotions to prevent us from doing what is right. 

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)

David asks why his emotions have taken over, creating depression.  In order to break the paralysis of a panic attack one must distract a person form their emotions.  In an emergency situation, a loud yell, a cup of water in the face or a slap nay be needed to distract the person quickly.  To prevent people from giving way to their panic, one can focus on solutions and actions to deal with the problem, or on what to do after the problem is resolved.    By focusing on God and the hope for the future, rather than the immediate situation, David could eliminate the depression and enjoy his life even in the midst of his problems.  We don’t have to allow our emotions to take over.   It is like taking a bottle of water with us instead of just hoping we find some.

There Is No Reason To Succumb To Temptation

Psalm 41:1-13

 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.  The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.   The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.” (Psalm 41:1-3)

God created mankind in his own image, and our treatment of other people is a reflection of our attitude toward him.  In Matthew 22:37-40, one of the Pharisees asked Jesus which was the most important of God’s commandments.  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.   This is the first and great commandment.    And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  All God’s law revolves around loving God and our fellow man. 

The person who cares enough to find out what those less fortunate than himself actually needed instead of just doing something demonstrates his love for both God and other people.   God will respond by protecting him in his times of trouble, enabling him to survive and prosper.   He will encourage him in times of depression and heal his diseases. 

“I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee.  Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish?  And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.  All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.  An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more.  Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. “ (Psalm 41:4-9)

David was aware of his sinful nature and knew he often sinned.  He asked God to forgive and heal his emotional and psychological needs his sin produced.  His enemies slandered him and made false accusations and David asked how long they would be allowed to continue.  When they came to see him, it was not to show real concern, but to gloat and gain ammunition against him, so they can spread the slander.   They plotted to destroy his reputation, and his destruction, excusing themselves by claiming his problems were God’s judgment and that he would be destroyed.  They had even managed to influence his closest friends. 

“But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.  By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.” (Psalm 41:10-11)

David asks that God would raise him up so he could repay their slanders and accusations by showing they were false.  The proof of God’s love is that despite all their efforts, enemies of god’s people are unable to get rid of them completely.   They always recover. 

“And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever.  Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.” (Psalm 41:12-13)

Even in the worst times, God enables his people to live with integrity.  I Corinthians 10:13-14 tells us, “ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”  There is no reason for us to give in to temptation or look elsewhere for help.  What a wonderful God we have, for all of eternity. 

The Richness Of God’s Blessings

Psalm 40:1-17

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 40:1-3)

David describes his experience.  He waited patiently for the Lord.  He didn’t get upset and quit because things didn’t happen when he thought they should, and God answered his prayers.  David had been in position where it looked like there was no hope and destruction was sure, but God had brought him to a place where he was out of danger able to function freely.  He had given a sense of joy so that he was singing and praising God, and it was being a testimony to many others to turn them to God. 

“Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” (Psalm 40:4)

As a result of his experience, David can state with assurance that the person who places their trust in God, obeying his commands instead of depending on the leaders who think they can control everything and make their own rules or the ones who listen to liars for guidance. 

“Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.  Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. “ (Psalm 40:5-6)

God has blessed in ways we don’t even recognize so that we can thank him for them.  It would be impossible to recount all of them to God.   He does those things because he loves us, and doesn’t demand sacrifices and offerings to get his favor.  All he wants is our obedience because we love him. 

“Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.  I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.” (Psalm 40:7-10)

As He understood what God wanted, David committed himself to doing what God wanted, as described in the scriptures.  He had learned the commandments by heart, teaching them to all the people around him boldly.  He had done his best to make sure everyone knew what God had done for him and what he expected from the people. 

“Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.  For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.  Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.  Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.” (Psalm 40:11-15)

God has made wonderful promises to those who obey him, and David asked that God honor his promise because he had tried to obey, in spite of numerous lapses.  He was aware that God was under no obligation to fulfill those promises because he had failed so often, Just asking that God bless him anyway.  He specifically asked that those who sought to destroy him be stopped. 

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” (Psalm 40:16)

He prays that all those who love the Lord and his salvation be continually aware of God’s greatness. 

“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” (Psalm 40:17)

When David thought about what he was like, he was amazed that despite all his failures, God took an interest in him.  He went out of his way to protect and encourage Him.  He asks that God not delay his response.    

Letting God Fix the Problems

Psalm 39:1-13

To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.

“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.” (Psalm 39:1-2)

David wanted to do the things that were right.  He soon realized what James 3:5-10 says, that the Tongue is impossible for a person  to control completely.  “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”   Unfortunately, this is an area of life that is easily neglected. 

David found himself saying things that were not right despite his best efforts.     In Matthew 15:17-20, Jesus explained, “Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.   For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.”  Like our actions, the words we speak are inspired by the attitude of our heart.   Most actions take a physical effort, with the result we frequently have time to stop before we perform them, but words are so easy to say they frequently slip out before we can stop them, especially when we are under pressure.

David had made a commitment to keep his mouth under control, even if it meant he could not say anything, even about good things.  The refusal to speak at all resulted in frustration and growing depression.    People need to express themselves, and when they can’t or don’t, emotional pressures build up.    David’s efforts to fix a problem by human means only made things worse. 

“My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,  LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.   Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.  Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.” (Psalm 39:3-6)

The efforts to maintain silence resulted in growing frustration and finally he could keep silence no longer.  David asked God to help him understand the end result of his life and how long it would be. So that he could understand how weak and powerless people are.   He realized our earthly life is extremely short, as compared with history, and that even a hundred years is nothing compared to eternity.   At best a man’s accomplishments produce no lasting benefit, and our efforts to gain wealth and power are only a show.  People put out all the effort to achieve these things for nothing and they have no real control over who will benefit when they die.   It is just a rat race on a treadmill, going nowhere.   

“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.  Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.  I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.  Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.   When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.” (Psalm 39:7-11)

David realized his only hope was in the Lord.  The only way he could control his tongue was if God did it.  He asked God to prevent him from doing and saying things that were wrong so that the foolish people were not making fun of him.  He also asked that God end the punishment because knowing   God was disappointed with him was crushing his spirit, leaving him feeling worthless.   

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.  O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.” (Psalm 39:12-13)

David asks that God show him his forgiveness because his happiness and his very life is based on God’s acceptance, just as was that of his ancestors.  Like a child asking a father he loves to show his love after he has been punished, he is desperate   to know he has been forgiven.   If that forgiveness was not received, like the child, David might well be swallowed up in his unhappiness and give up hope.    It is critical that the relationship be restored. 

Dealing With Guilt

Psalm 38:1-21

A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance.

”O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.  For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.  There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.  For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.” (Psalm 38:1-5)

There is a tendency for Christians to begin to think of themselves as being better than other people because they no longer have all that sin.  Every once I =n a while, we need to be reminded that we are not saved because of our goodness, but because of God’s mercy and grace, as Titus 3:5 says.   “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”  When we forget that, we tend to let down our guard, and get involved in sin again. 

David asks that God would not wait until he is angry to correct him, because it hurt so much to know God was upset with him and the fellowship was broken.  Once again, David had gone into sin and like a person falling unexpectedly into the river, had that panicky feeling of drowning when the water closes over his head.  One wonders if perhaps this Psalm was written after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed to hide it.  His guilt was a heavy burden, and he felt like someone with a putrefying wound that stunk as a result of his foolishness, leaving him feeling isolated from God. 

“I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.  For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.  I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.  My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.” (Psalm 38:6-10)

As we mentioned earlier, there is nothing harder to live with than a guilty conscience.  As a result of his sin David felt like a leper, unable to associate with others for fear of infecting them with his disease, while desperately craving human contact and reassurance.   The sense of guilt was crushing.  The momentary pleasure of the sin was far outweighed by the emotional and psychological pain it caused.   David had had a close relationship with the Lord, and his sin had separated them.  He craved restoration of that fellowship and peace with God more than anything else.  Without it his life seemed hardly worth living. 

“My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.  They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.” (Psalm 38:11-12)

Not only had his sin broken his relationship with God, it affected his relationship with his wife and his friends and relatives.  Though they still cared about him, they were not sure where they stood or how to approach him.   His enemies seized on the opportunity to attack, setting traps, making hurtful comments, and accusing him of hiding other things, and this added to the pain of those who cared about him, resulting in their withdrawing even more.   People seldom consider how much their sin hurts those who care about them, assuming it only affects themselves.   

“But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.  Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.  For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.  For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.  For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.  For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.” (Psalm 38:13-18)

When they begin to feel the guilt and the isolation it produces, people often begin to lash out at others, blaming them for their feelings rather than accepting it as the consequence of their sin.  David chose not to focus on what people might be saying and not to get mad at them.  Instead, he put his hope in the Lord, trusting God to protect and forgive him, even when his foot had slipped.  He was constantly aware of his fault, and discouraged by it, but he was going to confess his sin in real sorrow for having done it.  He was committed to doing what I John 1:8-10 tells us.   “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 

Genuine repentance and confession of the sin to God is the only way to get rid of the guilt.  People who refuse to repent or admit they were wrong are stuck with their burden of guilt.  Unfortunately, popular psychology tells people their actions are not really wrong but are based on cultural norms, and thus they don’t need to repent or ask forgiveness.  While it provides a temporary relief, it does not resolve the problem, allowing the problems to accumulate and leading to depression, anger and outbreaks of violence. 

“But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.  They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.  Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.  Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” (Psalm 38:19-21)

We have real enemies in the world.  Some people take advantage of people who do what is right, and become our opposition.  We need God’s help and a sense of his closeness and guidance to keep from descending to the same level.  David asks that God not forsake him while he is struggling with his guilt.