Psalm 38 - The True Source Of Healing

The author of Psalm 38 is David. It tells us how sorrow for sin brings hope. For God alone is the true source of healing and protection for those who confess their sins to him.  This psalm is called the penitential psalm because David expressed sorrow for his sin. He stated that his sin led to health problems and separated him from God and others, causing extreme loneliness. He then confessed his sin and repented.
 

"Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.  My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear." ~ Psalm 38:2-4
 

David saw his anguish as judgement from God for his sins. Although God does not always send physical illness to punish us for sin, these verses and others in Scripture (Acts 12:21-23; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32) indicate that he does in certain circumstances. Our sin can have physical or mental side effects that can cause great suffering. Sometimes God has to punish his children in order to bring them back to himself (Hebrews 12:5-11). When we repent of our sin, God promises to forgive us.  He delivers us from sin's eternal consequences although he does not promise to undo all of sin's earthly consequences.
 

Acts 12:21-23 -  "On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. ²² They shouted, 'This is the voice of a god, not of a man.' ²³ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died."

1 Corinthians 11:30-32 - "That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ³¹ But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. ³² Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world."

Hebrews 12:5-11 - "And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:  'My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6-because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son'. ⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what child is not disciplined by his father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are illegitimate children, and not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." 

It is extremely difficult to be silent when others tear us down because we want to protect our reputation. We find it difficult to do nothing while they assault something so precious to us. But we don't need to lash back in revenge or justify our position; we can trust God to protect our reputation. Jesus was silent before his accusers (Luke 23:9, 10); he left his case in God's hands (1 Peter 2:21-24). That is a good place to leave our case too!

Psalm 38:13,14 - "I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; 14-I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply."

Luke 23:9,10 - "He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10-The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him."

1 Peter 2:21-24 - "To this you were called, because God suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22-He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23-When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24-He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have  been healed."