A Ray of Hope – The Presidential Prayer Team

For you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. – Psalm 38:15

Charles Spurgeon stated that today’s psalm is “full of grief and complaint from the beginning to the end.” The penitential nature of Psalm 38 gives a clear picture of the marks that sin can leave upon your life if it is not confessed with genuine repentance.

Sin affects not only your mental but your physical state. When Esau gave up his birthright, he felt the weight of what he had done. He was sorry for the consequences but not repentant nor accepting of the fact that it was his own doing.

On the other hand, King David knew “no soundness in [his] flesh… no health in [his] bones” when he sinned (Psalm 38:3). In a later psalm, he took sole responsibility for the results of his actions – actions that resulted in a pregnancy, the death of an upright military man, and the eventual death of his own baby. David pleaded to God for forgiveness: “Against you, and you only, have I sinned and done what was evil in your sight.” His prayer was “purge me… wash me… create in me a clean heart” (Psalm 51:4, 7-10).

Believer, ask the Lord today if there is any area of your life in which guidance or repentance is needed. There is a ray of hope and a sense of God’s grace in this psalm. Take your needs to the One who forgives and who will lead. Place your trust firmly in the Lord, wait for Him, and He will answer. He is your salvation. Then intercede for those in this nation whose sins cause much grief and pray they will turn to the only One who can save.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 38:15

But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
    it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:22-27

²²For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

²⁶Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. ²⁷And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.