O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage! Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me. Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me— it is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. I am bent over and racked with pain. All day long I walk around filled with grief. A raging fever burns within me, and my health is broken. I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart. You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. My heart beats wildly, my strength fails, and I am going blind. My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease. Even my own family stands at a distance. Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me. Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me. All day long they plan their treachery. But I am deaf to all their threats. I am silent before them as one who cannot speak. I choose to hear nothing, and I make no reply. For I am waiting for you, O Lord. You must answer for me, O Lord my God. I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me or rejoice at my downfall.” I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I have many aggressive enemies; they hate me without reason. They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good. Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my savior.
Psalms 38:1-22 NLT
Sin saps your strength. When you are living with unconfessed sin, your heart is uncertain, and you live with guilt. That guilt—knowing you have not dealt with a wrong you have done—robs you of joy and crushes your heart. The solution is to confess your sins (v.18) and trust in God to forgive you. His mercy renews your strength. His forgiveness brings confidence, knowing you are washed clean. Follow God’s guidance and confess your sin to the Lord and to others.
David was praying that the Lord would remember him. His friends and family had separated themselves from him. His enemies were surrounding and attacking him.
David was weary and on the verge of collapse. Yet he did not give up hope. He cried out to the Lord and found new strength. The Lord will never forsake you. No matter what you are going through, God is going through it with you, comforting you and guiding you. We are refined the most in the hottest fires.
Why is confession so important? How can you find strength in the Lord when you are lonely?
