September 15
________________________________________
PSALM 38 A PLEA FOR A GENTLE DISCIPLINE
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath!
2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;
there is no 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 stink and fester because of my foolishness,
6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning.
7 For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
9 O Lord, all my longing is before you; my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart throbs; my strength fails me,
and the light of my eyes—it also has gone from me.
11 My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague,
and my nearest kin stand far off. – Psalm 38:1-11
________________________________________
A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
O Lord, do not discipline me in anger, but be gentle with me
I know how much my sinfulness have made you angry
Never let your Holy Spirit leave me; guide me always
I bow down to you and asked for your forgiveness
Grant me wisdom and discernment to be humble
Heal all my diseases and let me be content and simple
My heart pines only for you, keep me in your loving arms
Lord, you are my strength, help me to endure and be strong
Change my heart, mind, soul and my point of view
Let it be synchronized with your truth and plans always
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is God’s discipline important in a Christian’s life?