Learning to be careful and not to sin is a lifetime effort. God helps us in this in many ways. But when we stray from His path, there are frequently consequences. “O Lord, rebuke me not in Your wrath, and chasten me not in Your burning anger.” (Psalm 38) The Lord is our Father. He loves us and wants us to be filled with joy in His presence forever; therefore he “rebukes” and “chastens” us when we begin to fall away from following Him. All Christians who seek earnestly for the Lord experience this. The Lord lives! He will correct us when we go astray because His heart’s desire is for us to live with Him, forever.
If we are truly “born again,” then we will suffer when we continue in sin. “For my iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.” (Psalm 38) “I am benumbed and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.” This feeling is as bad as David makes it sound.
Once felt, you never want to feel it again. It spurs us on to repent and to get back on the “straight and narrow path” that leads to Life everlasting.
“My heart throbs, my strength fails me; and the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me. My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague; and my kinsmen stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay snares for me.” (Psalm 38) Sinning affects our personality and our face’s countenance. It makes us weak. The light of eyes dims. Loved ones see this and stay away from us in their confusion about our change of behavior and manners. Our enemies see this as an opportune time to attack us. — This is another incentive for not walking away from our Good Shepherd and following always after Him.
Our God is for us, not against us. He does not seek to judge us. He has done everything He can to wipe away all of our sins and to forgive us. He has done so because He loves us thoroughly. So, when we sin, remember these wonderful words of encouragement. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)