Nov 9 Daily Rhythms

Morning
Psa. 38:1-8   

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.

This is such a powerful image of what sin can do to the soul. I talk with a lot of people. Almost without exception the deepest parts of our souls become poisoned by ourselves. I love the imagery of the way the conviction of sin feels in the sinners heart. It makes the coming pronouncement of pardon that much more powerful. Consider this morning your own sorrow over sin. And cry out to God.

Afternoon
Psa. 38:9-14

O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs; my strength fails me, and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me. My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off. Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long. But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes.

You considered the depth of your own sin and sorrow this morning. It ought to make us feel hopeless and abandoned. Yes, we have a merciful and great God. Yes, the cross deals with this sin. God help us if we are so numb to the truth of God that we no longer weep over our own sin against this mercy. Ask God today to increase your misery over sin.

Evening
Psa. 38:15 -22  

But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. For I said, “Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!” For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good. Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

God will not, no can not forsake you. Have you come to him and cried out for mercy and rescue? If so, then he is not letting go of your hand. You are secure. You are loved, you are forgiven. Nothing can ever erase your name which is written on his heart.