Psalm 38:5-6 "My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. (6) I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long."
Psalm 38:21-22 "Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. (22) Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation."
Have you ever had a heavy heart? We sing that beautiful old hymn, "Are you
weary? Are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus!" There are many things in
life that can cause us to have heavy hearts. Maybe we felt led to do something
and failed to follow through. Maybe we feel like someone has wronged us.
Maybe we lashed out at someone for no reason. Or maybe we have transgressed
against the Lord and are seeking forgiveness.
In reading this entire 38th Psalm, it seems David may have been bothered by all
of the above. As a result, his sin was as a wound that was corrupt in his
skin. He was looking back at one or more instances where he did something
that he knew was wrong. He spoke of his actions as being foolish. The
memory of his misdeeds troubled him deeply and the weight of guilt was weighing
him down. His countenance was sad at all times. Maybe you can identify
with him. Maybe not.
Even if you cannot identify with the cause of David's weight in his soul, have
you ever had a time when you felt the Lord was far away from you. Maybe
it was a time of personal sadness for whatever reason. The result for either
scenario is a cry unto the Lord, "Please do not forsake me." We
know the verses. We know that He has said, "I'll never leave you nor
forsake you." Yet, there are times when we feel that we have been left
alone.
It is during those times that Jesus speaks even more forcibly (if possible)
these beautiful words, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) He opens His arms
to us no matter the situation and in those arms, we can find love, forgiveness,
mercy and grace.