Psalm 38

Waylon Jennings song, “Looking for Love,” can be sung through the experience of many, many people:

“Playing a fool’s game, hoping to win.

Telling those sweet lies and losing again.

I was looking for love in all the wrong places.”

All people have needs for love, acceptance and self-worth. God alone can fully, and eternally, meet these needs. Yet, we go through life trying to meet our need for love and acceptance through our relationships with others. We try to feel love and acceptance by performing in certain ways or by manipulating other people. But, true love is not “I’ll love you if you love me;” it is unconditional. Until you know who you are in Christ, you cannot truly and authentically love others. All you can do is take from others as you try to satisfy your needs for love.

True love does not need to be manipulated to express acceptance; “Be still, and know that I am God!” says the psalmist in 46:10.

The author of Psalm 38 is sick. Not the sickness of a diagnosable physical illness; the sickness of sin. Perhaps the greatest tragedy of the 21^st Century church is how closed our spirits have become. In an era of entitlement, we have acute feelings of alienation when we don’t get what we want; however, seldom are people aware of their sin sickness that is caused by their seeking from the world, what only God can give.

 In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus quotes Isaiah 42:3, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” (Matthew 12:20) This is Good News for us. God does not give up on us; “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). Therefore, with hope and courage let us cry out to God,

Do not abandon me, O Lord.

Do not stand at a distance, my God.

Come quickly to help me,

O Lord my savior.

Psalm 38: 21-22

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for June 9, 2012             Psalm 39