God’s mercy

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -38

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A Devotional on Psalm 38: A Cry from the Heart

As I sit with Psalm 38, I feel the weight of David’s words pressing into my soul. His raw honesty, his desperate plea for God’s mercy, resonates deeply. “My whole body is sick,” he cries, “because of my sin” (v. 3). I’ve been there—haven’t you?—when the burden of my mistakes feels like a physical ache, when guilt and shame threaten to drown out hope. David’s words remind me that I’m not alone in this struggle, and from a Christian perspective, they point me toward the healing grace of Christ, a truth echoed by the early church fathers.

David describes a soul overwhelmed: “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (v. 4). I can almost see him, head bowed, heart heavy, confessing not just to God but to himself that his sin has consequences. St. Augustine, in his Confessions, knew this weight well. He wrote, “The punishment of every disordered mind is its own disorder.” Sin doesn’t just separate us from God; it fractures our inner peace, leaving us restless until we return to Him. Like David, Augustine learned that only in confessing our brokenness do we open the door to God’s restoration.

Yet, what strikes me about Psalm 38 is not just the despair but the audacity of David’s hope. Even as he laments, “My wounds fester and are loathsome” (v. 5), he pleads, “Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me” (v. 21). This is no casual prayer—it’s a cry from the depths, a refusal to let go of God’s presence. Early church father Gregory of Nyssa saw this kind of prayer as a journey toward God: “The soul that looks steadfastly to God is raised above the changes and chances of this mortal life.” David’s plea is not just for relief but for nearness to God, a reminder that even in our lowest moments, we can seek the One who never abandons us.

As Christians, we read Psalm 38 through the lens of the cross. David’s cry for mercy finds its ultimate answer in Jesus, who bore our sins and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). When I feel the sting of my own failures, I’m reminded of St. John Chrysostom’s words: “The Cross is the remedy for all our ills.” Christ’s sacrifice doesn’t erase the reality of our sin’s consequences, but it transforms them, offering forgiveness and the promise of renewal. David didn’t know the full story of redemption we now see, but his faith in God’s mercy foreshadows the hope we have in Jesus.

So, what do I take from Psalm 38 today? It’s okay to feel the weight of my sin, to name it honestly before God as David did. But I can’t stay there. Like David, I’m called to lift my eyes to the Lord, to trust that He hears my cry and is near. “Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior” (v. 22). This is my prayer, and it’s yours too. Let’s bring our brokenness to the foot of the cross, where Christ’s love meets us, heals us, and sets us free.

Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today? Take a moment to lay them before God in prayer, trusting in His mercy. How might Christ’s grace reshape the way you see your struggles?

Prayer: Lord, my heart is heavy with my own failings, but I trust in Your unfailing love. Draw near to me, as You did to David, and heal me through the grace of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -36

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God’s Unfailing Love: A Reflection on Psalm 36

Reflection

Psalm 36, penned by David, offers a striking contrast between the darkness of human sin and the radiant glory of God’s character. The opening verses (1-4) paint a sobering picture of the wicked, who lack reverence for God, flatter themselves in their sin, and plot evil even in the stillness of night. Yet, this grim reality serves as a backdrop to magnify the brilliance of God’s love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice, which David celebrates in verses 5-9. In a world that often feels shadowed by wrongdoing, this psalm invites us to lift our eyes to the God whose mercy is boundless and whose provision is abundant.

Verses 5-6 proclaim the grandeur of God’s attributes: His love stretches to the heavens, His faithfulness reaches the skies, unchanging and all-encompassing. His righteousness stands like mighty mountains – immovable, majestic and a stronghold against injustice while His justice flows like the deep oceans, wise and profound beyond our comprehension

Theologian John Calvin reflects on this passage, noting that God’s mercy is so expansive that it embraces not only humanity but even the animals, showing His care for all He has made. Calvin emphasizes that this divine mercy is a source of comfort, assuring us that God’s goodness extends beyond our failures and the world’s brokenness.

In verse 7, David declares, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Here, we find an invitation to rest in God’s protective embrace, where we are not merely sheltered but feasted with the abundance of His house and refreshed by His “river of delights” (verse 8). Charles Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, beautifully captures the joy of this truth, describing God’s love as a fountain that quenches every thirst and a light that dispels all darkness. He writes, “In thy light shall we see light,” suggesting that only in God’s presence do we find true clarity, wisdom, and joy. Spurgeon’s insight calls us to seek satisfaction not in fleeting pleasures but in the eternal delights of God’s presence.

One of the most inspirational insights comes from the renowned theologian Matthew Henry, who emphasizes the preciousness of God’s loving-kindness. He notes that it is infinitely above human compassion, drawing the children of men to trust under the shadow of His wings, where they find protection, abundant satisfaction from the “fatness of His house,” and refreshment from the “river of His pleasures.” Henry reminds us that in God, we have the fountain of life—natural, spiritual, and eternal—and in His light, we see true wisdom and joy, culminating in the glory of heaven.

David concludes with a prayer for God’s continued love and righteousness toward the upright and a plea for protection from the wicked (verses 10-12). The downfall of evildoers reminds us that evil is temporary, while God’s kingdom endures forever. Psalm 36 challenges us to examine our hearts: Are we drawn to the deceit of sin, or are we running to the refuge of God’s wings? In moments of trial or temptation, let us anchor ourselves in the truth of God’s unfailing love, which is more vast than the heavens and more enduring than the mountains.

Today, let Psalm 36 inspire you to trust in God’s boundless mercy. When the world’s darkness presses in, feast on His abundance, drink from His delights, and walk in His light. You are held, protected, and cherished by the God whose love knows no end.

Prayer

Lord, Your love reaches the heavens, and Your faithfulness never fails. Thank You for being our refuge and our joy, the fountain of life in a world of shadows. As Christian leaders of the past remind us, Your mercy embraces all, and Your light reveals true life. Help us to rest in Your love, to reject sin’s deceit, and to live uprightly for Your glory. Continue Your steadfast love to us, and shield us from evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -34

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A Devotional on Psalm 34: Tasting the Goodness of God

“I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1, ESV)

As I sit with Psalm 34, David’s words crash over me like a wave, pulling me into the depths of God’s sovereign grace. This isn’t just a song; it’s a battle cry of a soul pursued, delivered, and utterly transformed by the unrelenting goodness of God. David, hunted by enemies, hounded by his own sin, doesn’t offer polished platitudes. He pours out raw, fervent praise from a heart that’s tasted the Lord’s mercy and found it sweeter than honey.

This psalm sings of God’s providence, His electing love, and the unshakable truth that He is the author of our deliverance. “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (v. 8). I’m struck by this invitation—not to merely observe God’s goodness but to taste it, to let it linger on the tongue of my soul. It’s personal. It’s intimate. It’s the kind of grace that reaches into the muck of my rebellion, plucks me from despair, and sets my feet on the Rock.

I think of my own life—moments when fear gripped me like a vice, when shame whispered I was too far gone. Yet, like David, I’ve seen God’s hand move. “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (v. 4). This isn’t because I mustered enough faith or cleaned myself up first. No, it’s because God, in His sovereign mercy, chose to seek me before I sought Him. The doctrine of election hums through this psalm like a heartbeat: God’s deliverance isn’t random; it’s rooted in His eternal purpose to save His own.

David’s vivid imagery pulls me in further. “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (v. 7). Picture it—a celestial army, swords drawn, guarding you in the dead of night. This is no fairy tale; it’s the reality of God’s covenant faithfulness. He doesn’t just protect; He surrounds. He doesn’t just save; He encamps. For those chosen in Christ, there’s no moment unguarded, no trial unwatched. Even when I stumble, “the LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down” (v. 14). My weakness isn’t my defeat; it’s the stage for His strength.

Yet, this psalm isn’t a promise of a pain-free life. David acknowledges the brokenhearted, the crushed in spirit (v. 18). I’ve been there—heart shattered, spirit gasping. But here’s the anchor: “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” God’s nearness isn’t a distant nod; it’s the warm embrace of a Father who runs to His child. In Christ, He’s already bridged the chasm my sin created. He’s near because He’s mine, and I’m His.

As a believer, I see mankind’s depravity woven through this psalm—not as despair but as the backdrop for grace. “The face of the LORD is against those who do evil” (v. 16), but for those who cry out, who fear Him, who trust in His Son, there’s redemption (v. 22). My righteousness isn’t my own; it’s Christ’s, imputed to me by faith. David’s confidence—“none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned”—points straight to the cross, where Jesus bore the condemnation I deserved.

So, what do I do with this? I bless the Lord, not just when life sparkles but when it stings. I praise Him because His goodness doesn’t waver with my circumstances. I taste His grace in the Word, in prayer, in the sacraments—reminders of His covenant love. And I run to Him, my refuge, knowing He’s already running toward me.

Prayer:

Sovereign Lord, Your goodness overwhelms me. Thank You for choosing me, delivering me, and encamping around me. When I’m broken, You’re near; when I’m weak, You uphold. Teach me to taste Your grace daily, to bless You in every season, and to rest in the refuge of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Further Exercise:

Find and sing the lyrics of 10,000 Reasons (https://youtu.be/DXDGE_lRI0E) and worship God no matter whether your life is upside down or rightside up. Let the truth of God’s unfailing love wash over you.

A Sheep’s Journey Through Psalms -28

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A Devotion on Psalm 28: Finding Strength in God’s Response

As I sit with Psalm 28, I feel David’s heart beating through the words—a raw, honest cry to God that resonates with my own moments of desperation and hope. This psalm is like a lifeline, reminding me that when I call out to God, He hears, He responds, and He becomes my strength.

David begins with a plea: “To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me” (Psalm 28:1, NIV). I can picture him, maybe in a quiet moment of fear or surrounded by chaos, begging God not to be silent. I’ve been there—those times when life feels overwhelming, when I wonder if God is listening. Maybe you’ve felt it too: the weight of unanswered prayers, the fear that God might be distant. But David calls God his Rock, a steady, unmovable refuge. It’s a reminder that even when I don’t feel God’s presence, He is still my foundation, solid and sure.

As the psalm unfolds, David’s tone shifts from pleading to confidence: “Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy” (Psalm 28:6). This shift hits me deeply. It’s not just that God hears, but that He responds with mercy. I think of moments in my life when I’ve cried out—during a season of loss, a struggle with doubt, or even just a day when everything seemed to go wrong. Time and again, God has shown up, sometimes in a quiet peace, sometimes through a friend’s encouragement, or even in a sudden clarity that only He could give. Like David, I’ve learned that God’s mercy isn’t just a distant promise—it’s personal, active, and real.

Verse 7 may be my favorite: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” This verse feels like a deep breath after a long climb. God doesn’t just hear; He strengthens. He doesn’t just protect; He shields. I can trust Him, not because life is always easy, but because He’s proven Himself faithful. I remember a time when I faced a decision that felt impossible. I prayed, unsure of the next step, and God provided not just direction but a sense of joy that carried me through. That’s what David’s singing about—a joy that bubbles up when we realize God’s got us.

Psalm 28 ends with a broader prayer: “Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever” (Psalm 28:9). David’s heart expands from his own needs to God’s people, and it challenges me to do the same. When God lifts me up, I want to lift others up too, to pray for my community, my church, and those who need His shepherding care. It’s a reminder that my faith isn’t just about me—it’s about being part of God’s family, carried by Him together.

Today, if you’re feeling like David in verse 1, crying out and wondering if God hears, hold onto this: He is your Rock. He hears your cry for mercy. He is your strength and shield. Take a moment to tell Him what’s on your heart—He’s listening. And when He answers, let your heart leap for joy, knowing you’re carried by a Shepherd who will never let you go.

Prayer:

Lord, my Rock, thank You for hearing my cries, even when I feel alone. Be my strength and shield today. Fill my heart with trust and joy as I lean on You, and help me lift up others to Your care. Thank You for being my Shepherd, now and forever. Amen.