He’s not mad at you
O Lord do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! – Psalms 38:1
Sometimes, I feel afraid that God is mad at me for messing up. I know in my heart He is not, but there are times when I get down on my face and say: “Lord, I know there is something wrong, but I can’t even put my finger on it. I am so sorry for whatever I have done to get here. Can you please reveal to me where I am missing it so I can get back on track with you?” Then I hold my breath and expect that He is going to show me how bad I am and how angry He is because I messed up again.
I know these fears are unjustified. What is really happening in those times is that I’m letting my conscience condemn me instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to help me. It doesn’t happen a lot, but when it does, I am always pleasantly surprised when He gently shows me how much He loves me and He isn’t mad at me at all.
The reality is that I know that God’s correction isn’t rooted in anger or punishment, but in love and restoration. When I mess up, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking God is disappointed or angry with me. But the truth is, He desires to draw me closer, not push me away. When I finally stop holding my breath, I find myself wrapped up in God’s grace. He doesn’t approach me with harshness, but with compassion. He gently reminds me that my mistakes don’t disqualify me from His love or His plan for my life. His correction is not an expression of His displeasure, but of His deep, unending care. He loves me too much to leave me stuck where I am, but that love doesn’t leave me where I am, it simply recalculate my steps.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t condemn. His role is to convict us of righteousness (John 16:8-11)—to show us the way back to God when we’ve gone astray, not by shaming us, but by lovingly reminding us of who we are in Christ. God’s correction is an invitation to step back into a right relationship with Him, not a rejection or punishment. If you are feeling condemnation, you can be sure that it is not from God. Like David in this Psalm, we might cry out, asking God not to rebuke us in His wrath, but God’s wrath for our sin has already been fully satisfied in Jesus.
In Psalm 38, David pours out his heart to God, expressing deep sorrow, physical pain, and spiritual anguish. He acknowledges his own sin and the weight of its consequences, but in the middle of his suffering, he models something powerful turning to God in the middle of his brokenness. This psalm shows us that even when we feel overwhelmed, guilty, or burdened, God is still present and waiting for us to call on Him.
David’s experience in Psalm 38 reminds us that we all face moments when life feels heavy—whether it’s due to our own choices or external struggles. At times, it may feel as if we are drowning in the weight of it all, with no way out. But here’s the key: David never gave up hope in God. Even in his pain, he cried out, knowing that God would hear him.
Verse 15 captures this hope: “For I wait for You, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God.” Even when he couldn’t see a way forward, David trusted in God’s faithfulness. He didn’t pretend everything was okay, but he still believed that God would not abandon him in his distress.
Today, I want to encourage you that no matter what challenge you are facing—whether it’s pain, conviction, or sorrow—know that God hears you. He is with you in the midst of the struggle, just as He was with David. You don’t have to carry the burden alone. Pour out your heart to Him, and trust that He will meet you with His grace and comfort. Even when life’s difficulties weigh you down, God remains your refuge and strength. His love and mercy are greater than any sin, and His power is stronger than any pain. Like David, you can confidently place your hope in Him, knowing He will lift you from the depths of sorrow and lead you into His peace. The next time you feel distant from God, or you think that He’s angry with you, remind yourself of His true character. He is a good Father—slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 103:8). God does not condemn you; He corrects and restores you. When you bring your failures and weaknesses before Him, He doesn’t respond in wrath. Instead, He gently guides you back to the path He has set for you. In that place, you will find His mercy, His peace, and His grace. If you’re feeling like you’ve messed up too much or fear that God might be upset with you, remember Psalm 38: God’s love for you is far greater than any mistake you could make. Don’t let fear keep you from coming to Him. His discipline may be firm, but it is never cruel—it is always for your growth and healing. He is not waiting to condemn you, but to restore you, and remind you of the deep love He has for you.
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 38
1 O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure!
2 For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin.
4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are full of inflammation, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.
10 My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.
11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off.
12 Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all the day long.
13 But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth.
14 Thus I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no response.
15 For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.”
17 For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin.
19 But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.
20 Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.
21 Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me!
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!
The Daily Dose 