Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Spiritual Dis-ease

Reading: Psalm 38:1-22

Key Verse: “Because of your wrath there is no health in my body ... because of my sin”. verse 3

We continue to explore parallels of truth comparing our physical body to our spiritual life. When we are physically ill with a bacterial infection our whole body aches and we feel extremely weak. A disease has the effect of reducing our physical fitness. In the Bible, sin affecting our spirit is often likened to a disease affecting our body. Sin in the spirit produces guilt in the soul which can overwhelm us to the extent that we become emotionally fragile and susceptible to many kinds of negative feelings. Alternatively we try to bury the guilt but it still continues to work in our sub-conscious and corrode our personality. In this psalm, David said his guilt overwhelmed him like a burden too heavy to bear and this dis-ease even affected him physically.

We should never under-estimate the effects of guilt. Adam explained that disobedience resulted in shame, fear and distancing himself from God (Gen.3:10). We can receive help from friends, counsellors and programs but inevitably a spiritual problem requires a spiritual solution. An infection can be remedied by various medical treatments and likewise sin can be remedied by repentance, confession and reliance on the blood of Jesus sacrifice for us (1 John 1:7-9).

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that in Jesus I can be free of sin and guilt