SEALS 2017 Morning Meditation - Psalms 38

Flat Tire on the Motorbike Journey into the Villages, Laos, March 2014

Do Not Forsake Me, O Lord

Psalm 38 (ESV)

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering

How often do you feel overloaded by surroundings, criticisms, judgments, shame, and even sometimes our own communities?  As Disciples on this earthly journey our Refuge is here to lean on throughout all our struggles, hardships, judgments, shame, and community development.

• ·      Read through Psalms 38.
• ·      Reflect on each section
• ·      Write your own psalms of offering in your own words
• ·      Our Refuge is here to lean on.

Surrender: Confession of Shortcomings

1. O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!  2. For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.  3. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. 5. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness,
6. I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. 7. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

Complaint:  Confession of Desires and Emptiness

9. 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. 

Prayer Posture:  Confession of Humility

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.

Confession of Truth (God’s Character)

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!