“Consequences”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Psalm 38 (Forward, p. 6) CEV p. 577

One of the enduring questions surrounding historical research and enquiry is the tangled and puzzling question of cause and effect. In other words, in real time, in history, what were the consequences of a particular action or series of actions or events. For instance, I once wrote a paper on the causes of the Second World War and included Hitler only in the last several paragraphs. Instead, I dwelt on the Treaty of Versailles and its reparations and its ‘punishment’ of Germany, on the Depression, on the rise of ‘strong men’ all over the world, and such factors. And, believe it or not, I received a good grade on the paper. Of course, though, much of this will always remain in the realm of speculation and surmise. We will never know ‘for sure’.

Anyway, today’s psalm also raises this question. Twice its author alludes to his sin and twice he refers to God’s anger or God’s punishment:

“My sins are so heavy that I am crushed” (verse 3b-4);

“I told you all my sins, and I am sorry for them” (verse18);

“When you are angry, Lord, please don’t punish or even correct me” (verse 1);

“My body hurts all over because of your anger” (verse 3).

So, the implication—my conclusion, anyway—is that God is angry and punishing him for his sins. But it doesn’t end there. It also seems to be a workable assumption to conclude that his present illness and physical maladies are also a consequence of his sin. As we read above:

“My body hurts all over because of your anger. Even my bones are in pain. My sins are so heavy that I am crushed” (verse 3-4).

Likewise, verses 17-18:

“I am about to collapse from constant pain. I told you all my sins, and

I am sorry for them”;

And verses 5-8, seem to give further credence to this conclusion:

“Because of my foolishness, I am covered with sores that stink and spread. My body is twisted and bent, and I groan all day long. Fever has my back in flames, and I hurt all over. I am worn out and weak, moaning and in distress.”

But has this sin, this foolishness, also had its unintended consequences in his wider life, his life in community and in relationships? I would suspect so, even if I cannot prove it. Certainly, his sickness is something that his enemies hold against him:

“Because of my sickness, no friends or neighbours will come near me. All who want me dead set traps to catch me, and those who want to harm and destroy me plan and plot all day” (verses 11-12).

And even, it would seem, there is a connection with his sin:

“I am about to collapse from constant pain. I told you my sins, and I am sorry for them. Many deadly and powerful enemies hate me, and they repay evil for good because I try to do right” (verse 17-20).

Years ago, noted psychologist Karl Menninger, in his seminal book, Whatever Became of Sin, laid out the pervasiveness of sin and its effects and argued for a return to use of this word and concept. Certainly, I think that a strong case can be made, even apart from his words—simply from observing events in our world today—how widespread it is and how all encompassing and pervasive its effects are. And, dare we admit it, it is alive and well in us as well, together with all its impacts. And so, with our psalmist it is something that we should be aware of and on guard about, no matter what. Yes, indeed, because it does have its consequences. Amen.

Forward notes: “My heart is pounding, my strength has failed me, and the brightness of my eyes is gone from me” (verse 10).

“While my son was on patrol in Iraq, a man offered him an ice cream cone. At that moment, a sniper’s bullet pierced the head of the man and shattered the security they were there to provide. My son spent the rest of his tour of

duty with bloodstains on his boots. Haunted by that event and many others from his National Guard duty in Bosnia and Iraq, my son came home quick to offend, anxious, a shell of himself. For years, he lived the agony of Psalm 38.

“After disastrous consequences, my son knows that the Lord has heard his call. The Lord of his salvation has heard him call. With the help of family and community, his burdens have been lifted. But so many others live on the edge, terrorized by horrific experiences of war or poverty or injustice. Their hearts pound, and their strength is insufficient to the pressure.

“O Lord, make haste to help them.”

Moving Forward: “Do you know someone suffering from a traumatic event? Offer to help them find the support they need to begin healing. And always, pray for them.”