Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
Scripture: Psalms 32: 3-7
“While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up by the heat of summer. Selah. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. Therefore, let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah.”
Reflect
Fools and Folly
Have you ever hurt someone? In the previous verses of Psalms 32, David records his iniquity, and the joy of God’s grace.
The Word tells us that all sin and fall short of the glory of Jesus Christ, Romans 3: 23-24. As a young person I felt indestructible, Teflon coated, as many do. In a rebellious moment, I dented the fender of our family’s only vehicle. It was an accident, and only involved me. I could have simply confessed the incident and accepted the penalty. However, as it happens numerous times, a bad decision is followed by a second one. Instead of telling my parents, I went to school the next day, hoping my parents wouldn’t find the dent. “True wisdom is less presuming than folly…. the fool is obstinate, and doubteth not; he knoweth all things but his own ignorance.” Akhenaton (1353-1336 BC). That was me.
The day was one of the longest of my life. Just as David, my spirit groaned within and was heavy to the point that I was physically depleted. My joy was gone, thus my strength. I was distracted all day trying to plan how I would tell my parents and explain why I had not told them immediately. Third wrong decision, I would lie. The lie formed in my head on the bus ride home. Entering the back door, I heard an unusual thing. My parents were arguing. Daddy was convinced Mother had dented the truck, while she vehemently denied it. I was crushed. The burden of my sin had been placed on my precious mother. I’ve never forgotten the sadness I saw in her eyes, revealing the broken trust she felt. Amid tears of shame and guilt, I confessed all, asked forgiveness, was extended grace, accepted consequences.
Sin doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It affects us and those that love us. However, we have a great, loving God that stands ready to forgive the truly repentant, provide refuge and restore fellowship. Halleluiah!!! Do you need that today?
Pray
Dear Lord Jesus, Savior, Master, look upon my human condition and have mercy on me. Thank You for Your love and sacrifice. I praise You for the shed blood that redeems me from all unrighteousness. Halleluiah! In Your sweet name, I pray, Amen
Go with God!
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