Psalm 40: 12&13
For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my heard, and my heart fails within me. Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord come quickly to help me. NIV
I found these verses by plugging “heavy heart” into Bible Gateway.com and choosing The Message version of the Bible.
Here the writer, presumably David, is overcome with the worry that is associated with guilt. The Message translates verse 12, “When troubles ganged up on me, a mob of sins past counting, I was so swamped by guilt I couldn’t see my way clear. More guilt in my heart than hair on my head, so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.” MSG
Guilt certainly causes a good deal of worry … and a lot of drama. Just think about the prime-time TV line up … from The Closer, to CSI in all its forms, to what is it — 20 years? — of Law and Order … guilt is a popular plot line.
I’m wondering if one of the reasons for the rising popularity of these shows is that they allow folks to escape their own guilt for an hour, while they watch other people — who have, no doubt, done much worse things than the watcher — get what they deserve.
But, David had it right. The answer doesn’t come in soothing yourself by telling yourself that what you’ve done isn’t really all that bad … the answer comes in taking it — all of it — to God.
The miracle of Christianity is not only the gift of eternal life, but also, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
That’s what I’ll think about today.
365 Days of Peace 