If somebody does you dirt and gets caught at it, they hate you all the more.”
–Louis L’Amour (Chancy)
“For the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.”
–Isaiah 57:20 (NKJV)
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Psalm 38 shows a tremendous cry for help from David. He didn’t bother with any of his accusers, even though they were falsely accusing him. He showed restraint in not acting against them. W. Graham Scroggie said, “When we answer back, we may win a battle and lose the campaign; but when we are silent we may lose a battle but shall win the campaign. It is well to sacrifice a passing victory for the sake of the final triumph.”
David went to the Lord with his sin, asking for forgiveness, but did not answer his critics. Meditate on the words of this portion of Psalm 38.
13 – I am like a deaf person; I do not hear. I am like a speechless person who does not open his mouth.
14 – I am like a man who does not hear and has no arguments in his mouth.
15 – I put my hope in You, Lord; You will answer, Lord my God.
16 – For I said, “Don’t let them rejoice over me—those who are arrogant toward me when I stumble.”
17 – For I am about to fall, and my pain is constantly with me.
18 – So I confess my guilt; I am anxious because of my sin.
19 – But my enemies are vigorous and powerful; many hate me for no reason.
20 – Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good.
21 – Lord, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me.
22 – Hurry to help me, Lord, my Savior. (HCSB)
There are those who love to gloat over another’s misery, whether it be a mistake, or failure, or sin. They are smug in their satisfaction of seeing a righteous man fail. David finally puts that aside, realizing that his hope is in the Lord and not in the vain thoughts of his enemies.
Why was David being attacked so mercilessly? Because he pursued good. He didn’t go along with plans for evil. He did not call evil good and good evil; he stood for the right. He knew they were powerful, but he would put his trust in the Lord. In that, he cried out to the Lord to be his immediate help.
“Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! Thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
–Katharina von Schlegel
It our iniquity and in our quandary the Lord might not give us an immediate answer or immediate relief. He might allow the process to continue in our life until we finally realize the lesson and call in deep sincerity upon Him. Keep your trust in Him no matter your situation, whether it is induced by others or by your sin. “He wants our obedience at His first call, but He will accept our surrender even after many invitations have been spurned.” (George O. Wood) Lean on Him, and tell your soul to “be still.”