The Heavy Hand of God
Did you know that there are four kinds of suffering that Christians face? One kind is Noble Suffering, or unjust suffering for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:16, 19). The second kind of suffering is when you suffer because you chose to do wrong and you reaped the consequences (1 Peter 1:15). The third kind of suffering involves the suffering that everyone faces as a consequence of living in a sinful and fallen world (Gen 3:17-19).
The fourth kind of suffering is that which is present here in Psalm 38. It is suffering by the hand of God as a means of disciplining His people. Remember, that God is good, and does no evil thing. His chastening upon His people is for our good, our holiness, and His glory.
In Psalm 38, David is enduring God’s chastening hand because of his sin (38:1, 4-5). David is physically sick (3), weighed down with a heavy heart (4-6), sad (6), restless (8), weak (10), without desire for anything (10), separated from his friends and family (11), and full of anxiety (18) from his sin. God worked in David’s life to bring him to repentance. He cares for His people. Brethren, God will use suffering as a means to show you the depths of your sinfulness and to get you back on the path of obedience.
Brethren, pray like David by confessing your sins and asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness (1,9). David does not make excuses or rationalise his sin (38:13-14), but rather confesses his sin & trusts God to hear his prayer and forgive him (3:15,18). Brethren, know that when God disciplines you He does it for your own good (Heb 12:10-11). He alone is your salvation (22).