Sin always points to our self-centeredness. Every time we rebel against God, we care more about our ways than the ways of God. We set aside God to pursue whatever we want or whatever we want to do. However, when we are in need, we turn back to God for help. And we expect Him to help us, but if He doesn't help us then we judge God that He is not a good God. He doesn't care about us, so we end up having resentment against Him or believe that He doesn't exist. But the truth of the matter is that most of our struggles in life are the result of our rebellion against God. It is the consequence of our rebellion. God warns us in His Word not to follow the ways of this world, or else we will reap the consequences of our sins. A good example of this is a parent warning his son or daughter not to try any drugs or drink alcohol. But the son or daughter does not listen to the parents and ends up taking drugs and getting addicted to them. This scenario can be extreme, but there are many things that we do that we do not listen to God's instructions. We prioritize what we want instead of what God wants us to do.
The sad part of sin is that the more we walk on its path, the more we get deeper into sin, and eventually will lead us to guilt, shame, sorrow, and despair. This is exactly what David experienced. No matter how many possessions he had or defeated all his enemies, his life was empty because the only way that he could have peace in his heart was to be in the right relationship with God. David concluded Psalm 39 by pleading to God for mercy, "Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don't ignore my tears. For I am your guest—a traveler passing through, as my ancestors were before me. Leave me alone so I can smile again before I am gone and exist no more (vss. 12-13)." When David asked God to leave him alone, what he meant by that was that God would ease his discipline on him. David was pleading for God's restoration in his life before he died.
God eventually forgave and restored David, but David had to humble himself before God and plead for mercy. If we want God to restore our lives, we need first to humble ourselves before God and ask for forgiveness. We need to plead for his mercy. Self-centeredness ruins our lives, but humility before God leads us to life, joy, peace, and contentment.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you). What is the number one cause of my sin? How can I have peace, joy, and contentment? What should I do when I am in rebellion against God?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I come before you this morning acknowledging that you are my holy God. Please forgive my rebellious ways. Have mercy on me and restore me to walk in your path so that I may live in peace and contentment in you. Please grant me a repentant heart and not let my heart be hardened by sin. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayer. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.