PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Psalm 39
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” (Psalm 39:5)
David was determined not to sin, but he realizes how impossible that is.
He saw his anguish and struggle as God’s rebuke and discipline for sin (vv.2-3,10-11).
He seemed secure – in his own eyes – but his suffering proved otherwise.
Many in bible times thought that God punished sin by making them suffer.
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1)
Jesus challenges this thinking, saying that God is up to something else:
“This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)
Sometimes we suffer when we sin; but we will even suffer if we do not sin.
In this world there is no one ‘righteous’, we all live in a sin-filled suffering world.
God does not cause suffering, but uses our suffering to work out divine goodness.
Our confidence should not be in our goodness or ‘being secure’, but in God’s goodness.
Jesus followers look for the good works of God in their suffering, not God’s judgment.
We realize our insecurity and inability to not sin, and look to Jesus for hope and security.
Jesus isn’t punishing you; he is at work for good, helping you rise up over sin and suffering.
PRAYER
Lord, too often like David I think my life goes well when I am good, and I suffer when I am bad. Help me to see that is it never my goodness that makes me secure, but your goodness!
Sometimes life can be very difficult. Sometimes we deserve it and we are suffering the consequences of our actions/behaviour. Yet the Lord does not give up on me – even if His hand can be heavy at it is for the Psalmist: who knows the Lord is right so he wants to keep quiet to God about it – he deserves what he got: “I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.” Discipline can be tough and take the joy away from living – the Psalmist ends by saying, kind of, okay leave me alone now so I can enjoy life some more before I die: “Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.” Lord help me to own up to my sin and confess to you – for then I may be set free again to live – but not for myself – but for you – for then I will find rest and peace!
My hope is in You Lord.
All that I am I owe to You Lord.
All that I have is from You.
My life also is but a breath but my security is with You.
All for Jesus.
He is my Security.
He is my Strength.
He is my All in all.
1 All that I am I owe to Thee;
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me.
I give my Maker thankful praise,
whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
2 Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
my life in all its perfect plan
was ordered ere my days began.
3 Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
more precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
awaking I am still with Thee.
4 The wicked Thou wilt surely slay;
from me let sinners turn away.
They speak against the Name divine;
I count God’s enemies as mine.
5 Search me, O God, my heart discern;
try me, my inmost thought to learn;
and lead me, if in sin I stray,
to choose the everlasting way.