Psalm 32 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Verse 2Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Verse 3While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
Verse 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
Verse 5Then 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
Verse 6Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
Verse 7You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
Verse 8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Verse 9Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
Verse 10Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Verse 11Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Devotion
I grew up going to revival meetings. The talks would go like this: I was lost and a really bad person. I found Jesus. Now my life is completely different. Most of the speakers would spend 90% of their talk speaking about their life before Christ. The worst stories drew the most interest and people to the meetings.
Even as a child, there was a part of me that yearned for the speakers to get to the end of their talks – not so they would be over, but so I could hear the good news. I wanted to hear that I was loved and surrounded by God’s people. I needed to be reminded that although the world can be a harmful, heavy, even wicked place, things are different for those who trust the Lord. Life is different because we are surrounded with God’s steadfast love.
I still crave this message that reminds me that in Christ, I am surrounded with steadfast love. If it were up to me, I would rather hear 90% of the love story and God’s steadfastness and less than 10% of the “torments of the wicked.” I wonder if the crowds would come if the percentages were reversed?
Prayer
Lord, speak to us through stories of your love, your faithfulness, your mercy, your power. Give us ears that yearn to hear of your unending grace. Amen.