In Over Your Head
Sin is bigger than you.
David makes this statement in Psalm 38:
Psalm 38:4–6 (ESV) 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.
A fundamental problem with 21st Century Christianity is a horrible misjudgment of sin. The Bible makes clear that our sin is enormous and grievous. And those who pridefully believe they haven't been as bad as others may very well be the worst of the lot (see Jesus' parable of the tax collector and Pharisee).
Modern Christianity has replaced the depth of our sin with such phrases as:
- A God-shaped hole.
- Something missing in my life.
- Need for meaning.
- A search for significance.
- A purpose to live for.
We may like these phrases as they lessen the reality of our natural standing before a holy and just God... but these phrases misdiagnose our malady and leave us wandering in ignorant misery.
Our biggest and most dire problem is sin. We don't need God to complete us, we need God to save us completely. We don't need God to give us meaning without first understanding the meaning of being redeemed by Jesus His Son. Our significance before God is void as we can give Him nothing (See Acts 17:25).
David confesses his powerlessness before sin...
This Psalm is perhaps one of the reasons David was considered a man after God's own heart. He did not boast of his strength and power... this mighty King knew his only hope was in the Lord...
Psalm 38:17–18 (ESV) For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. 18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
Many Christians fail to see the love of God completed in them because they fail to understand their desperation before Him. Only when we come to grips with the effective and powerful work of the Cross for us can we start to see the power of that Cross working for us and through us.
Only when we see His power over our sin can we actually be delivered from besetting sins. Only when we see the Cross as the SAVING power of God alive in us can we being to appropriate that same power to sanctify us. Like the woman with the issue of blood we need to come to a place where we fully believe that ONLY His power and His touch is enough!
David ends the Psalm in full expectation that God will be his Savior:
Psalm 38:21–22 (ESV) Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
Let us do the same, every day.
David makes this statement in Psalm 38:
Psalm 38:4–6 (ESV) 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.
A fundamental problem with 21st Century Christianity is a horrible misjudgment of sin. The Bible makes clear that our sin is enormous and grievous. And those who pridefully believe they haven't been as bad as others may very well be the worst of the lot (see Jesus' parable of the tax collector and Pharisee).
Modern Christianity has replaced the depth of our sin with such phrases as:
- A God-shaped hole.
- Something missing in my life.
- Need for meaning.
- A search for significance.
- A purpose to live for.
We may like these phrases as they lessen the reality of our natural standing before a holy and just God... but these phrases misdiagnose our malady and leave us wandering in ignorant misery.
Our biggest and most dire problem is sin. We don't need God to complete us, we need God to save us completely. We don't need God to give us meaning without first understanding the meaning of being redeemed by Jesus His Son. Our significance before God is void as we can give Him nothing (See Acts 17:25).
David confesses his powerlessness before sin...
Psalm 38:8 (ESV) I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
Psalm 38:17–18 (ESV) For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. 18 I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
Many Christians fail to see the love of God completed in them because they fail to understand their desperation before Him. Only when we come to grips with the effective and powerful work of the Cross for us can we start to see the power of that Cross working for us and through us.
Only when we see His power over our sin can we actually be delivered from besetting sins. Only when we see the Cross as the SAVING power of God alive in us can we being to appropriate that same power to sanctify us. Like the woman with the issue of blood we need to come to a place where we fully believe that ONLY His power and His touch is enough!
David ends the Psalm in full expectation that God will be his Savior:
Psalm 38:21–22 (ESV) Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, be not far from me! 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
Let us do the same, every day.
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