Repentance

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. [Psalm 38.3-5]

Ick!

Psalm 38 is a Psalm of David. It is not necessarily a pretty picture, but Psalm 38 is telling if we will only receive what it says.

In continuance of what has been a theme for me for some time, it is glaringly obvious that sin results in pain and suffering. Said another way, when we experience pain and suffering, sin is at the core.

When sin is present, there is only one course of action for one dedicated to God: repentance.

When the fuel gauge on a vehicle indicates the tank is low, there is only one conclusion: fuel must be added.

When our bodies experience pain and suffering, there is only one conclusion: sin must be confessed.

Verses 17 and 18 of Psalm 38 only give further support:

I am on the verge of collapse, facing constant pain. But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done. [Psalm 38.17-18]

Once again, pain is associated with sin, and sin needs to be confessed (repented of).

To be clear, David is not just talking about emotional pain here. The opening passage of this post is not to be misunderstood. David indicated that his whole body was sick - that his health was broken, ...that his wounds were festered and stinking... This cannot be misconstrued to be anything less that what the text clearly indicates: physical suffering. And, this physical suffering was resultant to foolish sins.

So, why would we, when pain and suffering come on, do anything less than what David did (a man after God's own heart)?

It is bad enough to do nothing when we suffer. But is is blasphemously worse to think the pain and suffering is resultant to God's delight with us - to miss the obvious indicator of the presence of sin (just because we judge ourselves "not guilty" does not make it so).

And, just to address the elephant in the room, 2 Corinthians 12, I will point out that Paul's thorn in the flesh, regardless what else is said about it, was resultant to sin... Paul said the thorn was given to keep him from pride. And pride is what? SIN! And sin requires what? REPENTANCE! I find it ironic then that Paul would "boast" and find "pleasure in his weaknesses" (2 Cor. 12.10) if those weaknesses were the result of sin (pride)! Does anyone besides me see a problem here???

The point is, Paul's statements in 2 Corinthians 12 stand in contrast to the overwhelming context of the rest of the Bible on the subject of suffering. I don't think it (2 Cor 12) presents enough argument to ignore the rest of the Bible just to concoct a doctrine that makes us feel better about ourselves!

So, I further conclude today that pain and suffering are the gauge in our lives indicating the need for action - the need for repentance.

Father, forgive me for pride. Forgive me for arrogantly thinking my suffering and pain is anything less than glaring flashing lights that I need to repent.