IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Penitance in the Midst of Sufferings

Date: Dec. 3, 2015

Passage

Psalm 38:1-22  (ESV)

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering.

  O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath!
  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.
  For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
  My wounds stink and fester
    because of my foolishness,
  I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
    all the day I go about mourning.
  For my sides are filled with burning,
    and there is no soundness in my flesh.
  I am feeble and crushed;
    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
  O Lord, all my longing is before you;
    my sighing is not hidden from you.
10   My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
    and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11   My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
    and my nearest kin stand far off.
12   Those who seek my life lay their snares;
    those who seek my hurt speak of ruin
    and meditate treachery all day long.
13   But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear,
    like a mute man who does not open his mouth.
14   I have become like a man who does not hear,
    and in whose mouth are no rebukes.
15   But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
16   For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me,
    who boast against me when my foot slips!”
17   For I am ready to fall,
    and my pain is ever before me.
18   I confess my iniquity;
    I am sorry for my sin.
19   But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty,
    and many are those who hate me wrongfully.
20   Those who render me evil for good
    accuse me because I follow after good.
21   Do not forsake me, O LORD!
    O my God, be not far from me!
22   Make haste to help me,
    O Lord, my salvation!

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 38:15

  But for you, O LORD, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.

First, a burden of guilt (1-14). David committed a sin, but the burden of guilt was unbearable. It seems that God's arrow was piercing his body. His whole body was sick. He was utterly crushed and groaned in anguish of his heart. He was alienated from his friends because of his sin. His enemies also gloated over his sufferings. But he knew that all troubles were caused by his own sin (5).

Second, I wait for you, Lord (15-22). He did not seek other ways but sought the Lord, repenting of his sins and waiting on the Lord. He was confident that God would answer, believing in his forgiveness. When we turn toward God and pray for God's protection and help, God is not far from one who seeks his mercy. He always answers such prayers.

Prayer: Lord, I come to you for your mercy. Come quickly to help me. You are my Lord and my Savior.

One Word: Lord, I will wait for you

Daily Bread

Task of Testifying to the Gospel of God’s Grace

Acts 20:13-24

Key Verse: 20:24

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Intro Daily