Oh God be not far from me!

     Greetings to you in the name of our almighty King and Lord Jesus.  One more day!  Tomorrow at this time I will be in the deer camp with the guys and then Saturday morning I will be in the stand ready to kill anything that moves.  OK, realistically I will be in the stand ready to sit several days in a row hoping a big buck walks by, but it sounds better and more optimistic to be ready to kill anything and everything.  There is quite the wolf population in the ground we will be hunting, so that would be pretty awesome to get to see one of those.
      The psalm for today was Psalm 38.  As I am sure all you know that is one of the seven penitential psalms.  David is confessing his sinful state and the pain and agony he is in because of that sinful human state.  He uses some powerful imagery to describe his wounds stinking and festering.  Now whether this is physical, emotional, or spiritual pain doesn't really matter.  The point is sin causes pain and suffering.  Human kind being in the sinful state causes this pain and suffering for everyone.  And the only answer to that pain and suffering, the only answer to sin is to take it to the Lord in confession and be healed by His grace, mercy, and love.  And then David, in His final petition of pleading with God to not forsake him, says, "O my God, be not far from me."
      To me this is so powerful because it fits with the imagery.  Fortunately, I have never been hospitalized long term for any serious surgeries or injuries.  However, knowing human experience, I know when people end up in the hospital for long stays, they want loved ones close by.  As they are in pain or discomfort, as they fear and worry, as they dread the next procedure or diagnosis, they want their loved ones by their side.  A spouse, a friend, a parent, someone who can be there to hold their hand, to reaffirm everything is going to be OK, someone to just be there for them.  As David is suffering and worrying and dreading the next attack of his enemies, the loved one he turns to is his God.  He begs his God to be not far from him.  He is asking God to remain with him, to hold his hand as he goes through this, to be at his bedside caring and comforting him.  Who could possibly be a better person to call on for that job in that moment then the one true God who is control of all things?  So the next time sin has you suffering, or worrying, or dreading the next moment to come, be like David.  Cry out to your God and beg Him to be not far from you.  Plead with the Lord Almighty to be right there by your side, holding your hand, helping you through this tough time.  And then trust God not only hears you, but is there with you.  The Lord God who sacrificed His only Son for you, will continue to forgive you, love you, and give you the strength and comfort to make it through those difficult times.  Oh God, be with us always, but when those extra tough times come along, O my God, be not far from us.  Amen.