Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

September 26
Thursday


THE PATH OF WISDOM

READ:
Psalm 38:1-15
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In You, O LORD, I hope;
You will hear O Lord
my God.
__Psalm 38:15
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Albert Einstein was heard to say, "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." Sadly, it does seem that far too often there is no limit to the foolishness we get ourselves into__or the damage we create by our foolishness and the choices it fosters.

It was in such a season of regret that David poured out his struggle and complaint to God in Psalm 38. As he recounted his own failings, as well as the painful consequences he was enduring because of those failings, the shepherd-king made an insightful comment: "My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness" (v.5). Although the psalmist does not give us the details of those choices or of his worsening wounds, one thing is clear__David recognized his own foolishness as their root cause.

The answer for such destructive foolishness is to embrace the wisdom of God. Proverbs 9:10 reminds us, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Only by allowing God to transform us can we overcome the foolish decisions that cause so much trouble. With His loving guidance, we can follow the pathway of godly wisdom. __Bill crowder

```````````Loving Father, forgive me for the seemingly`````````````
````````limitless capacity I have to be foolish. Teach me```````````
````````in Your wisdom, so that my life might be pleasing```````````
``````````to You and a blessing to others around me.``````````````
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God's wisdom is given to those
who humbly ask him for it.

***********************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 38:1-15*************************

1 O LORD, do not rebuke
me in Your wrath, nor
chasten me in Your hot
displeasure! 2 For Your
arrows pierce me deeply,
and Your hand presses me
down.

3 There is no soundness in
my flesh because of Your
anger, nor any health in my
bones because of my sin.

4 For my iniquities have
gone over my head; like a
heavy burden they are too
heavy for me. 5 My wounds
are foul and festering
because of my
foolishness....

9 Lord, all my desire is
before You; and my sighing
is not hidden from You.

10 My heart pants, my
strength fails me; as for the
light of my eyes, it also has
gone from me. 11 My loved
ones and my friends stand
aloof from my plague, and
my relatives stand afar off.

12 Those also who seek my
life lay snares for me; those
who seek my hurt speak of
destruction, and plan
deception all the day long.

13 But I, like a deaf man,
do not hear; and I am like a
mute who does not open his
mouth. 14 Thus I am like a
man who does not hear, and
in whose mouth is no
response.

15 For in You, O LORD, I
hope; You will hear, O Lord
my God.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Although not all suffering is caused by sin (Luke 13:2; John 9:2-3),
sin can cause suffering. David in this psalm speaks of mental and
physical suffering__shame, inner guilt, sickness, and social alienation
(38:4-11)__brought about by his own sins (v.5). Acknowledging that
God is angry with him (vv.1-3), David confesses and repents from
his sins (vv.17-18). asking God to save him (vv.21-11).