Grace That Is Greater.

Psalm 51 – Day 1

"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me – now let me rejoice."– Psalm 51:7-8 NLT

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured, There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.

Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Grace that is greater than all our sin. What a marvelous, almost impossible truth for us to comprehend. That God could love us so much that He would be willing to extend us grace in spite our consistent struggle with sin. David knew this truth first-hand. Here in Psalm 51 we have the aftermath of his sin with Bathsheba. Here is the man known as the man after God's own heart and the anointed king of Israel, wrestling with the guilt and conviction of his affair with this woman and his premeditated murder of her husband in order that he might have her as his own. This is a sin of the first degree. It is something that shocks even the most hard-core agnostic or atheist. These kinds of things are just not done in civilized society. But here is the leader of God's chosen people confessing his guilt and willingly accepting God just judgment. "Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just" (Psalm 51:4 NLT).

David knew he was guilty, but he also knew that God was ready and willing to forgive his sin and restore him to a right relationship with Himself. David also knew that God was the only one who could restore him. So he cries out to God for mercy. He appeals to God's unfailing love. He asks God to show him compassion. He begs God to blot our the stain of his sin, wash him clean from his guilt, and purify him from his sin. He knows only God can make him clean. Only God can restore his joy. Only God can give him a new heart. Only God can give him back the joy associated with salvation. Only God can give him the ability to obey. The key to David's appeal to God was his understanding that God was looking for true repentance that comes from a heart that is grieved over its treatment of God and His Word. David knew that his sin was ultimately against God, not Bathsheba or Uriah, her husband. And David knew that God was looking for godly sorrow in David's heart. Paul refers to this kind of sorrow in his letter to the Corinthian church. "For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death" (1 Corinthians 7:9-10 NLT).

The sacrifice God wanted from David had little to do with lambs and goats, blood and offerings. But it had everything to do with a broken and contrite heart. A heart that is broken and crushed because it understands that it has offended a holy, yet loving and merciful God. God wanted sacrifices offered in the right spirit, with the right kind of heart behind them. David's sin was against God and that sin needed to bother him as much as it did God. And it did. So David came to God in sorrow, repentance, openness, honesty, and complete reliance on God to restore him. And he had every confidence that God would. Because David's God is a gracious, kind, loving, and merciful God. David's God was a forgiving God. His grace was greater than all of David's sins – from the smallest to the biggest. David's sins of adultery and murder rank high on our ranking of transgressions against God, and yet God was willing to extend mercy, grace and forgiveness even for these two hideous sins against His holiness. God's grace really is greater than all our sins. Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin.

Father, thank You that Your grace truly is greater than my sin. And because of Your grace I can receive forgiveness, cleansing complete restoration, joy and the constant awareness of Your love. Amen

Have Mercy! (Based on Psalm 41)

Psalm 41 – Day 2

Happy is the man who carefully considers the weak and powerless.

God delivers them in the midst of their bad times.

He continually watches over them and sustains their lives.

He leads them in the right way to go as they walk this earth,

And refuses to deliver them over to their enemies.

He comforts them when they are sick in bed,

And returns them to health.

That's why I prayed, "Have mercy on me. Heal my soul, cleanse me from sin."

I am surrounded by those who say malicious things about me.

They ask, "When will God destroy him and destroy his reputation?"

If they come to see me, anything they say to me is worthless,

Their hearts are full of worthless thoughts about me,

And when they leave my presence, they share them with others.

They secretly judge me and assume the worst about me.

"His situation is due to wickedness," they say.

"He'll never recover from this one."

Even the man I considered my friend, the one I trusted,

And shared life with, has turned on me.

So Lord, I ask You to show me mercy,

Lift me up, restore me, and that will put an end to them.

This will let me know that You take delight in me,

Because You won't allow them to shout in victory over me.

You keep me whole and complete, allowing me to stand in Your presence,

I bless and adore You Lord, the God of Israel, forever and ever.

Amen and Amen.

Lifting Up Those Who Are Down.

Psalm 41 – Day 1

"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble."– Psalm 41:1 NLT

At first glance, this Psalm seems a bit disjointed. He starts out talking about the poor and how God blesses those who show them kindness. The next thing David is confessing his sin and crying out for mercy because of the apparent consequences of that sin. His problem seems to have nothing to do with poverty or need, but is due to his own willful sin. But if you look closer at the word translated "poor" in verse one, you find out that it can also be translated "one who is low or weak." It is from a root word that means "something hanging low." It refers to something or someone languishing, being weak or powerless. So David is not necessarily talking about poverty as it relates to finances, but he is talking about spiritual and emotional poverty, and he is speaking from experience.

David is suffering because of sin. He has confessed that sin to God, but he is still experiencing the consequences of whatever it is he has done. He has close acquaintances who come to visit him in his pain and suffering, but who gossip about him when they leave and wish him nothing but ill-will. They look at his condition and, rather than encourage him, they try to figure out what it is is wrong with him, why he has done to deserve something so bad, and debate when he is going to die. David knows he has done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment from his friends. If you recall, back in Psalm 35, David said that when his enemies were sick, he grieved for them. He even prayed and fasted for them, feeling sadness for their condition, "as though they were my friends or family" (Psalm 35:14 NLT). But now that David is down and out, his "friends" have become his enemies. So David is left to seek mercy from God.

But what a reminder to those of us who claim to be Christ-followers that we are to have the same heart He had. We are to love like He loved. Jesus said of Himself, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come" (Luke 4:18-19 NLT). We are to carry on that ministry to the down and out today. The Proverbs of Solomon remind us that our words carry weight. They are powerful and can accomplish good or bring about evil in the lives of others. "The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain" (Proverbs 10:11). "The words of the godly encourage many" (Proverbs 10:21). Solomon also warns that "with their words, the godless destroy their friends" (Proverbs 11:9). "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing" (Proverbs 12:18).

We are the hands, the feet, and the mouthpieces for Christ here on this earth. We are to have a heart for the lowly and all those who are languishing, whether it is because of their own sin or the sinful condition of the world in which we live. There are those who are languishing in financial poverty, but there are also those who are suffering in emotional and spiritual poverty. We are to bring them words of encouragement and healing. We are to show them mercy and grace. We are to love them with both words and actions. David knew that to do so was a rewarding experience. To do so was to live a life that was pleasing to God. God rewards those who care for and encourage the down and out. He repays them in kind. He "rescues them when they are in trouble" (Psalm 41:1 NLT).

Father, give me a heart for the down and out. Help me to see them all around me. It is easy to see the financially poor, but the spiritually and emotionally impoverished are all around me and they tend to hide their condition well. Don't let me be like David's friends, who because of their treatment of him in his time of need, were no better than enemies to him. May I be a true friend to those in need, providing words of encouragement and actions that back up what I say. Amen

Something Worth Talking About. (Based on Psalm 40)

Psalm 40 – Day 2

I expectantly waited on God,

And hearing my cry for help, He turned toward me.

He brought me up out of dark place,

Where I was stuck, and unable to free myself.

But He put me back on solid ground,

And gave me a firm path for my feet.

He put a new song in my mouth,

A song of thanksgiving to our God.

For many who hear it, it will result in a reverence for God,

Causing them to trust Him more.

Happy is the man who refuses to follow the way of the proud,

Or turns aside to believe their lies,

But instead puts his trust in God.

All the wonderful things You've done for us God are too great to count,

I couldn't even begin to tell about all the plans You have arranged for us,

Sacrifices and offerings are not what You want from us.

I can hear You clearly now,

And burnt offerings and sin offerings are not what You are asking for.

Then I said, "I come before You because of what is written in Your word,

I find joy in doing what You want me to do,

Because Your law is written on my heart.

I have talked about Your righteousness to large crowds,

And You know I didn't hold anything back, Lord.

I didn't keep what I know of Your righteousness to myself,

But I have openly talked about Your faithfulness and salvation.

I didn't try to hide news of Your mercy and truth from anyone.

So I ask You not to withhold Your compassion from me, Lord.

Let Your mercy and truth continually guard and preserve me,

Because I find myself surrounded by all kinds of bad things,

The guilt of my sins has overtaken me, I can't even see clearly any more.

The number of my sins seems greater than the hairs on my head,

And I have lost all hope.

I beg You Lord to find it in Your heart to save me,

I need You to hurry up and help me.

Let those who would want to harm me be sorely disappointed.

Let those who wish me ill-will be turned aside in humiliation.

Let their shouts of joy over my demise be turned to devastation.

But let all of us who seek our security in You find joy and gladness.

May all of us who love Your salvation be able to say repeatedly,

"The Lord is great!" Yet here I am, poor and needy, and the Lord takes notice of me,

He is my help and source of deliverance.

So don't hesitate for a second Lord! Act now!

The Best Advertising Is A Satisfied Customer.

Psalm 40 – Day 1

"I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness."– Psalm 40:10NLT

When was the last time you told someone else what God has done for you? And I'm not talking about sharing about how you came to Christ when you were seven or eight. I'm talking about telling others about how God is active in your life accomplishing things that only He could do. David starts out this Psalm talking about a time in the not-so-distant past when he found himself patiently waiting on God to help him. And then he says, "he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God" (Psalm 40:1-3 NLT). David was singing God's praises for what He had done in his life. And the result of David's public relations campaign for God? "Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord" (Psalm 4):3b NLT).

I am convinced that many more people would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ if the followers of Christ had more to say about Him. If we had more to share about what God has done in our lives lately and how Christ is transforming our lives daily, it would give our claims regarding the value of salvation credibility. At this point, so many unbelievers are asking those of us who claim to be followers of Christ and believers in God, "What has He done for you lately?" And if they asked you that question, what would your answer be? What would you tell them? David said, "I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know" (Psalm 40:9 NLT). Then he goes on to say, "I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness" (Psalm 40:10 NLT).

David knew first-hand what it was like to have God intervene in his life and rescue him from trouble, forgive him of sin, provide him with victory, heal him from sickness, and restore him to a right relationship with Himself. David knew that a relationship with God was not all about doing things for God to somehow keep Him satisfied and earn brownie points with Him. "You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings" David told God (Psalm 40:6 NLT). No, God wants His followers to take joy in doing His will because they have experienced His faithful, unconditional love and want to express their gratitude through obedience and submission to His will for their lives – because they know He loves them and has their best interests in store. In fact, David said about God, "Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them" (Psalm 40:5 NLT). David had a lot to say about God because God was an active and vital part of his life. Can the same thing be said of us? If we tried to recite all the wonderful things He has done for us lately, would we run out of time before we ran out of list? David called on God because he expected God to act. David waited on God because he was confident God would respond. David told others about God because he had plenty of stories of God's faithfulness to tell. He said, "May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'The Lord is great!'" (Psalm 40:16b NLT). Maybe we have little to say about God because we so seldom turn to God for help and place on Him all our hope. "Oh, the joys of those who trust in the Lord" (Psalm 40:4a NLT).

Father, the problem is not that You are silent in my life, it is that I don't recognize and appreciate Your activity. I don't see it, so I don't acknowledge it. You are working all the time on my behalf, but I tend to be blind to it. I also don't turn to You enough in times of trouble and trust You for deliverance. I try to solve all my own problems. In doing so, I rob You of glory and deny myself the opportunity to see Your power on display in my life. I want to be a greater witness for You by being more satisfied by You. I want to sing Your praises more and tell everyone I meet of all Your wonderful acts. Amen

Life From An Eternal Perspective. (Based on Psalm 39)

Psalm 39 – Day 2

I said to myself, "I'm going to be careful about how I live my life.

When I'm around the ungodly, I'm going to watch what I say, so that I don't end up sinning."

But even when I kept my mouth shut, not even saying anything good,

I found myself getting stirred up inside.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I got,

Until I couldn't take it anymore, and the words spewed out.

"Lord, help me comprehend that my life has an end,

That the number of days that I'm going to live are nothing to You.

At best, my life is like a vapor from Your perspective.

The importance we put on our lives is empty and vain."

We waste our time getting upset,

Worrying about all the money we have accumulated

Because we don't even know who will spend it when we're gone.

So where do I put my hope? I put all my expectations in You.

I ask You to deliver me from living a life of rebellion against You.

Don't let my life be a joke to people who live like fools.

There was a time in my life when I kept my mouth shut

Because You were doing a number on me.

I ask that You remove Your hand of discipline,

Because I am totally spent.

Your punishment disciplines mankind for sin,

You destroy their self-centered self-absorption

Like a moth destroys a beautiful garment.

We're all just a fleeting vapor, here one day, gone the next.

So listen to my prayer, Lord! Hear my cry for help!

Don't be at peace about my tears!

I am a temporary inhabitant here,

A stranger living in a strange land where I don't belong,

Just like my fathers before me.

Take notice of me, smile on me,

Before my life finally comes to an end.

Hope In The Heat.

Psalm 39 – Day 1

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."– Psalm 39:7 NLT

David is going through some kind of difficulty. He is under a great deal of pressure and believes that what he is suffering is from the hand of God and due to sin in his life. He is upset and frustrated about it, but has chosen not to complain about his circumstances in the hearing of men – especially the ungodly. He knows that to do so would cast aspersions upon God's grace and goodness. So he just remains silent. But that doesn't stop the emotional turmoil taking place inside his head and heart. He says, "the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words" (Psalm 39:2-3 NLT). When David did finally speak up, he chose to take it directly to the Lord. He expressed his thoughts to the one who could do something about it. But instead of complaining, David asked God for perspective. He asks God to "remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is" (Psalm 39:4 NLT). David was asking God to help him keep his life in the proper perspective, never forgetting that eternity is our future, not this temporary condition we call life. In God's grand scheme, our lives are but a breath, a fleeting moment on the eternal timeline. Yet we put all our emphasis on the here and now and forget about the hereafter. We spend all our time rushing around attempting to accomplish things that only end in insignificance. We work hard to accumulate wealth and then end up having to leave it behind when we go. You can see where David's son, Solomon, got the perspective on life he shared in the book of Ecclesiastes: "I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned" (Ecclesiastes 2:18 NLT). Solomon also shared David's perspective on wealth. "Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless – like chasing the wind (Ecclesiastes 4:4 NLT).

But David had decided a long time before he wrote this Psalm to place his hope and trust in God. He had placed his life in God's hands. In fact, he owed his life to God. Without God, David would still be shepherding sheep instead of shepherding the people of Israel. Whatever David was going through, he knew that ultimately it had to pass through the hands of God to get to him. He says, "I am silent before you; I won't say a word, for my punishment is from you" (Psalm 39:9 NLT). David viewed his condition as God ordained and therefore he took his problem to the source. He believed that his punishment was due to sin in his life and knew that only God could forgive his sin and relieve his suffering. In verse 8 David asks God to "pluck him out of" his sin, to deliver him from his own transgressions. He knows that only God can bring relief from the pain he is suffering. So he asks God to hear his cries, to restore his joy, and to give him relief in order that he might spend whatever days he has on this planet in a right relationship with Him. And isn't that what this is all about? It isn't the accumulation of toys and the gaining of fame. It isn't about comfort and ease, earning and spending, competing and winning. It is about the joy of a right relationship with God. Money can't buy that. When we are not right with God, nothing is right. And nothing can make it right, but getting right with Him.

Father, what a wonderful reminder that life is all about living for You and with You. The pain and suffering we experience is nothing more than a reminder of our dependence upon and need for You. Keep me focused on You and nothing else. May I desire a right relationship with You more than anything else in the world. Amen

Conviction, Confession and Comfort. (Based on Psalm 38)

Psalm 38 – Day 2

Lord, I beg you not to correct me in anger,

Or discipline me when You're furious with me.

Your arrows of punishment have struck hard and deep,

And I can feel Your hands pressing down on me.

I'm literally sick because of the effects of Your anger on me.

But it all because of the guilt of my own sin.

I'm literally drowning in guilt, It's all too much for me to handle.

My wounds make me offensive,

All because of my own foolishness.

My sin has left me bowed down in brokenness,

I spend my whole day in mourning.

I am humiliated and it is affecting my health.

I am numb and emotionally crushed,

My heart groans in pain and sadness.

But Lord, You know what I long for,

My groans are not hidden from You.

My heart longs, my strength fades,

And any ability to view life with hope diminishes daily.

Everybody avoids me like a had the plague,

Even my own family. But not my enemies,

They continue to lay traps for me,

Devising ways to do me harm,

Spending their entire days making plans to do me in.

But I might as well be deaf and dumb,

I can't hear what they're saying or speak up in my own defense.

I simply choose to ignore them and say nothing.

Because I am waiting on You God.

I know You are going to answer me.

I have prayed to You for deliverance,

Because otherwise my enemies will win,

And they will gloat over me in victory.

I am ready to give up because my pain is constant.

So I acknowledge my own guilt,

And I am anxious about the effects of my sin.

My enemies are alive and strong,

And their numbers seem to grow daily.

When I do them good, they return the favor with evil,

They can't stand what I stand for.

So I beg You not to forget about me, O Lord!

Hurry up and bring me salvation!

Sin, Sorrow and Confession.

Psalm 38 – Day 1

"But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done."– Psalm 38:18 NLT

We are not told what David's sin was, but he clearly articulates what he believes to be the ramifications for that sin. David is suffering greatly both physically and emotionally. He sees his circumstances as directly related to his sin and as a rebuke from God. Crying out to God he says, "Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me – it is a burden to heavy to bear" (Psalm 38:3-4 NLT). David clearly understands the concept that sin has consequences and that God, because He is just, must punish sin. There is discipline involved when sins are committed. As children of God we are not allowed to sin freely and without consequence. If we belong to God, our sin produces guilt. His Spirit convicts us of our sin and produces within us those same feelings that David had. He speaks of God's rebuke and discipline. He uses words like crushing, broken, grief, crushed, anguish and pain. And he attributes it all "because of my foolish sins" (Psalms 38:5 NLT).

Speaking of this conviction of sin, C. H. Spurgeon states, "God's law applied by the Spirit to the conviction of the soul of sin, wounds deeply and rankles long; it is an arrow not lightly to be brushed out by careless mirthfulness, or to be extracted by the flattering hand of self righteousness." David was not going to be able to escape the loving discipline of God by simply finding something to distract him. He could avoid it for a time, but his sin, unconfessed, would continue to haunt him, leaving him longing for relief. Conviction is designed to lead to confession. Conviction ignored will only lead to continued sorrow. It will eat away at you from the inside out. That's why confession is so important. It is the anecdote for conviction, guilt and shame. John reminds us, "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9 NLT). In Psalm 38, the word that David uses that is translated "confess" in the New Living Translation is actually the Hebrew word for "tell or declare." He says that he avows, acknowledges or confesses the sins for which he has been convicted. He gets them out in the open with God. The truth is, God already knows what David has done, and is only waiting for David to acknowledge his guilt before God. He must agree with God that what he has done is wrong and simply admit it openly. Spurgeon says that this process of confession is therapeutic and healing."Open confession is good for the soul. When sorrow leads to hearty and penitent acknowledgment of sin it is blessed sorrow, a thing to thank God for most devoutly. I will be sorry for my sin. My confession will be salted with briny tears. It is well not so much to bewail our sorrows as to denounce the sins which lie at the root of them. To be sorry for sin is no atonement for it, but it is the right spirit in which to repair to Jesus, who is the reconciliation and the Saviour. A man is near to the end of his trouble when he comes to an end with his sins."

But an important part of confession is sorrow. David says, "I am deeply sorry for what I have done." Confession without sorrow is simply regret or remorse. You may regret your sins because it has produced pain and discipline, but that is not true confession. Confession as a means to escape coming punishment is not enough. There must be sorrow for the sin we have committed and not just sorrow for the discipline we are enduring. A child my say he's sorrow for something he has done, but it may be motivated by a desire to escape further punishment. It may have nothing to do with a sorrow over having offended his parents. The same can be true with us. In his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul talks about a letter he had had to send addressing a sin they were struggling with. He says, "I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death" (2 Corinthians 7:8-10 NLT). The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. David was deeply sorry for his sins. He confesses it to God and asks Him to forgive and restore him. He knows that only God can bring the physical, emotional and spiritual healing he needs. He cries out to God, "Do not abandon me, O Lord. Do not stand at a distance, my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord may savior" (Psalm 38:21-22 NLT).

Father, they say confession is good for the soul. And nothing could be more true than when it comes to sin in the life of the believer. When we sin, the Spirit convicts our soul and creates in us a holy discontentment and discomfort. Like David, we grow increasingly unhappy with our condition, feeling guilt and shame for what we have done. But You are simply using that conviction to lead us to confession, in order that You might forgive and restore us. Give us an increasing hatred for sin and a willingness to acknowledge its presence in our lives as soon as it shows up. Help us respond quickly to the Spirit's prompting and confess our sin with godly sorrow because we have offended You, our heavenly Father and holy God. Amen

No Comparison. (Based on Psalm 37)

Psalm 37 – Day 2

Don't waste your energy getting angry about the wicked,

And getting jealous when you see evil people seemingly prosper.

They'll all be gone soon enough,

Their "beauty" is temporary, their day in the sun won't last.

But instead, put your trust in God and concentrate on doing what is right.

That's the key to a good and truly prosperous life.

Keep your eyes focused on God and enjoy His presence,

Make Him your highest priority and He will satisfy you completely.

Give every decision of your life to Him,

Trust it all to Him and He will make things happen.

Your life will reflect His righteous activity,

And His justice will be readily apparent.

Just learn to rest in His presence,

Patiently, expectantly waiting for Him do act.

Quit comparing your life to the godless who seem to be winning,

Stop getting angry because it appears their sin seems to lead to success.

Calm down! Let go of your anger!

Losing your temper never accomplishes anything good.

Those who oppose God get nothing in the end,

But those who trust Him will inherit it all!

Those who oppose God will be gone soon enough,

You'll look around expecting to see them, but they'll be gone.

Instead, you'll find the "losers" of the world enjoying success,

Living peacefully and prosperously.

Right now the godless plot against the godly,

They defiantly oppose everything they stand for.

But none of it concerns God,

He simply laughs, knowing their day of judgment is coming.

The godless attempt to do battle with God,

They attack the poor and needy,

They try to destroy those who live according to God's standards.

But in the end, it's their own destruction they're bringing about,

Their plans will end up backfiring on them.

Here's a peace of advice: It's better to follow God and live with less,

Than to be wealthy and try to live without God.

The very things the godless put their hope in will fail them,

But God takes care of those who love and trust Him.

There's not a single day of your life God doesn't know about,

He knows your present and your future.

He will not let you down in the hard times,

And nothing is going to happen that He isn't prepared for.

But as for the godless, they will suffer and die,

Their future holds nothing but destruction,

And they are destined to disappear like smoke.

These people are greedy and dishonest.

But the godly are generous to a fault.

God will bless the one and curse the other.

He guides those who follow Him,

Taking joy in directing every detail of their lives.

Yes, they occasionally stumble, but God keeps it from being life-threatening.

Because He holds them in His hands.

I have lived a long time,

But in all those years I have never seen God abandon His own.

I have never seen their children destitute because God failed them

It's the godly who end up generously sharing what they have with others,

And their children end up following in their footsteps.

So if you want to enjoy the blessings of God,

Turn your back on doing wrong and do good instead.

God loves justice and He will never take His eyes off His own.

He has a secure future in store for the His children,

But the children of the godless have only death to look forward to.

The children of God are here for the long haul.

The godly are able to provide wise counsel,

Teaching the difference between right and wrong.

They based their decisions on the Word of God,

And as a result, their lives have a firm foundation.

The godless spend all their time trying to destroy the godly,

Devising ways to eliminate them from the face of the earth.

But God will never let their plans succeed

Or allow His children to face undeserved condemnation.

Put your hope and trust in God.

Live your life according to His standards,

And you will inherit all He has in store for you.

You will live to see the day when the godless are no more.

In all my years of living, I have seen the wicked flourish like a tree,

But I have also seen them disappear unexpectedly.

I looked around expecting to find them and they were gone!

So instead of worrying about the wicked,

Turn your attention to the godly, to those who do what is right.

Those who love what God loves have a great future ahead of them.

But the godless will end up being destroyed,

Their future is not so pleasant.

God saves the godly, He provides them with protection in times of trouble.

He comes alongside them, saving them from the godless,

Providing shelter and security from all those who would do them harm.

Don't Worry About the Wicked.

Psalm 37 – Day 1

"Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed."– Psalm 37:34 NLT

It's hard not to worry about the wicked. They're all around us. Many of them are in positions of power and influence in our country. Others are considered celebrities and stars. They write books, have their own TV shows, create music, art and define what is in when it comes to everything from clothing to hair styles. The wicked come in all shapes and sizes, and their wickedness is not always readily apparent or easily recognized. They seem to be living lives marked by success, happiness, affluence and popularity. So it's sometimes easy to envy them or to desire to be like them. But David tells us not to worry about the wicked or envy them, because their days are numbered. Yet we often find ourselves getting angry over the apparent lack of justice when it comes to some of these people. They prosper in spite of their lifestyles that are marked more by sin than anything else. David reminds us that "it is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich" (Psalm 37:16 NLT). To drive the point home, David provides us with a running contrast between the wicked and the godly. He paints a clear and powerful picture of the stark difference between these two lifestyles.

The wicked will soon fade. But the godly will find shelter in Him. The wicked will soon wither. But the godly will never slip from His path. The wicked will be destroyed. But the godly will be rescued by God. The wicked will disappear. But the godly will trust in the Lord and do good. The wicked will be gone. But the godly will never fall. The wicked plot against the godly. But God will take care of the godly because they are innocent. The wicked snarl at them in defiance.      But God will expose the justice of the cause of the godly. The wicked draw their swords and string their bows. But God is the fortress of the godly. The wicked kill the poor and oppressed. But the godly live in peace and prosperity. The wicked slaughter those who do right. But the Lord directs the steps of the godly. The strength of the wicked will be shattered. But the godly will be taken care of by God. The wicked will die. But the godly will possess the land. The wicked will disappear like smoke. But the godly will never be abandoned. The wicked borrow and never repay. But the godly give generous loans to others. The children of the wicked will die. But the children of the godly are a blessing. The wicked wait in ambush for the godly. But God will honor the godly by giving them the land. The wicked look for an excuse to kill the godly. But God teaches the godly right from wrong. The wicked will not succeed. But the godly will live safely in the land and prosper. The wicked will be destroyed. But a wonderful future awaits the godly. The will appear to flourish, then are gone. But the godly will not be disgraced in hard times. The wicked have no future. But a wonderful future awaits the godly.

As believers we are to put our hope in God. We are to confidently and faithfully trust the path He has chosen for us to follow and not worry about what might appear to be the unfair advantages of the ungodly. God is a just God and He will deal with them in His own way and in His own time. I can leave them in God's hands and concentrate on honoring Him with my life and trusting Him with my future. He will not let the wicked succeed or the godly be condemned. He has it all under control. So don't worry.

Father, thanks for this timely reminder from the pen of David. The wicked have always been around and they have always given Your people cause for consternation and concern. They appear so happy and so together. They seem to be getting away with their lifestyle of open rebellion to You, but You are not done yet. You are a just and righteous God who will make sure that all things are taken care of rightly and justly. They will not escape Your notice or Your judgment. I can leave them in Your hands and rest in the knowledge that You have me securely in Your loving grasp as well. Amen

No Comparison. (Based on Psalm 36)

Psalm 36 – Day 2

The wicked are rotten to the core,

Even their hearts give them evil advice.

There is not an ounce of the fear of God in them.

They are so puffed up by arrogant pride,

That they can't even see the extent of their wickedness.

Even what comes out their mouths is worthless and untrustworthy.

They are too lazy to do what is wise and good.

Even at night they lie awake dreaming up more wickedness.

His whole life stands for the wrong things, refusing to turn from evil.

But God, You are nothing like that.

Your mercy and faithfulness are as limitless as the heavens.

Your righteousness is as immovable as a mountain.

Your judgments are as unfathomable as the ocean.

Your mercy is of great value,

Every person who has ever been born can find refuge under your wings.

They will find themselves completely satisfied,

Because Your house is well-stocked.

You will quench their thirst with water from the Your river of luxury,

For the very spring of life begins with You.

You are the Light that makes it possible for men to see light.

Draw out Your mercy like water from a river

And share it with those who know You.

Share your righteousness with those whose hearts are right with You.

Don't let the prideful get to me or the wicked shake my confidence,

Because the day is coming when the wicked will fall, never to rise again.

A Stark Contrast.

Psalm 36 – Day 1

"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see." – Psalm 36:9 NLT

In this Psalm, David compares the wicked with God. Both are realities in his life. As the king of the nation of Israel he is surrounded by enemies – both within and without. He gets to see and experience firsthand the attitudes and actions of the wicked as the interact with him on a daily basis. Of course, David seems to using the literary device of hyperbole to make his point about the wicked– but only slightly. He speaks of their hearts being filled with wickedness. In fact, they're so blinded by pride, they can't even see how wicked they really are. They have no fear of God and everything they say and do is perverted by their own sin, so that they are incapable of doing anything good or wise– in fact, not a single one of their actions is good at any time. They can't even sleep at night because they're so busy dreaming up more evil things to do the next day. From David's perspective it is as if they couldn't stop doing evil even if they wanted to. And while much of this is exaggerated, there is a certain degree in which it is true. Those who do not know Christ and have a relationship with God through Him are controlled by sin. They are slaves to sin (Romans 6:19). They are incapable of doing what is right or righteous in God's eyes. This does not mean that they can't do any good, but that the good they do will not earn them favor or merit in God's eyes. Isaiah put it this way, "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind" (Isaiah 64:6 NLT). So in a way, David was right. The wicked – those who do not believe in God – are incapable of doing anything good. They are controlled by and enslaved to sin.

But then David addresses the other reality in his life: God. While the wicked seemed to surround David and impact his life on a daily basis – so did God. David describes God's unfailing love or mercy, His unbelievable steadfastness or faithfulness, His justice and righteous judgments, and His ever-present salvation, care, provision and protection. David says that God is THE "fountain of life, the light by which we see" (Psalm36:9 NLT). God is not only the source of first life, but makes possible every breath we take, every second we live on this earth. And that is true not only of us as His children, but of every single person who lives – including the wicked. God provides us with light so that we can see. In the Hebrew verse nine literally says, "In thy light we see light." It is as if David is saying that it is only in the illuminating presence of God's glory that we gain the capacity to see things as they really are. The wicked can't see their own wickedness. But when we stand in the light of God's glory, we see just how sinful we really are.

All this reminds me of the opening verses of John 1. "In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created,and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it" (John 1:1-5 NLT). But John goes on to say, "He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him" (John 1:10 NLT). The Light of the world came into the world to dispel the darkness, but those who lived in the world rejected Him. They didn't want their darkness exposed. They didn't want the Light to illuminate and eliminate their darkness. "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God" (John 1:12-13 NLT).

With David we can say, "Pour out your unfailing love on those who love (know) you; give justice those with honest (righteous) hearts" (Psalm 36:10 NLT). We have had our darkness exposed, our sins forgiven and our hearts transformed by the Light of the world. We were once just like those David describes in the opening verses of this Psalm. But because of the grace, mercy and goodness of God, we have been given a second chance. We have drunk from the river of delights, sheltered in the shadow of His wings, and fed from the abundance of His house.

Father, we are surrounded by those who love darkness more than light and wickedness more than righteousness. But we used to be the same way. And we would still be that way if it were not for the gracious gift of Your Son. May we learn to love the Light and increasingly appreciate how it exposes our own sin. You are always transforming us into the likeness of Christ and that takes the exposure of our sin nature. It isn't always fun to see, but it's a necessary part of the transformative process. Thank You for Your patient, loving care for us. Amen

In This Together. (Based on Psalm 35)

Psalm 35 – Day 2

Lord, I have a lot of enemies,

But only because I serve You.

So I ask You to stand against them,

And fight those who oppose me because they oppose You, too.

I need You to stand beside me in battle,

And use every weapon at Your disposal.

I long to hear you say, "I will save you!"

Disappoint and humiliate those who are trying to do me in,

May the plans of those who want to harm me fail.

Scatter them to the four winds,

Blow them away through Your power.

Send one of Your angels to pursue them,

And may the path they take be dark and slippery.

I don't deserve what they are doing to me.

I did them no wrong, but they are trying to trap me.

So give them a taste of their own medicine!

Let what they desire for me happen to them.

Let them experience exactly what they have planned for me.

I know that I am going to be able to rejoice in spite of all this,

Because I am sure of Your salvation. You will rescue me.

And when You do, I will praise You, saying, "Who is like You, O Lord,?

Is there anybody else who can deliver the weak from the strong?

Does anybody else have the ability to protect the helpless and poor?"

So here I am, surrounded by those who testify falsely against me.

I am being accused of things I have not done.

I have done good and am being repaid with evil.

All of it leaves me literally sick.

The irony is, when my enemies were sick, I showed compassion.

I grieved for them, fasted for them, and prayed for them.

I treated them like family, even feeling sadness over their condition.

But now that I am the one in trouble, they are happy!

They even join in against me. In fact,

I have enemies whose names I don't even know!

They attack me relentlessly.

They're out to destroy my reputation.

Lord, to be honest, sometimes it feels like you see all this,

But You do nothing about it.

I really need you to rescue me and protect me.

When You do, I will tell everyone of my gratefulness,

I will sing Your praises to everyone I meet.

All I ask is that You keep my enemies from having a party at my expense.

Don't give those who have no reason to hate me, a chance to smile at my misfortune.

These people are not godly, Instead of peace, they pursue deception and discord,

They long to destroy me, saying, "We've got you this time!"

Lord, I am not telling You anything you don't already know.

I am just asking You to act,

To do something about my situation.

I am asking You to stand up and defend me,

To act as my defender, because You are my God.

I am looking to You for justice,

So that You might declare me innocent.

When my enemies laugh at my failure, they are laughing at You,

Because I belong to You and You are my God.

So don't allow our enemies to say, "We've succeeded, we've brought him down!"

I look forward to the day when You act,

When those who find pleasure in my sorrow are disappointed.

They stand over me in victory now,

But one day the roles will be reversed.

Those who love You and serve You like I do

Will all be able to say, "God is great!

He finds great pleasure in protecting and providing for His children."

I know that one day I am going to be able to rejoice in Your justice,

And praise You constantly for what You have done.

Turning To God.

Psalm 35 – Day 1

“O LORD, you know all about this. Do not stay silent. Do not abandon me now, O Lord. Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord." – Psalm 35:22-23 NLT

This is a difficult Psalm. It is one of four imprecatory Psalms in which the writer asks God to pour out judgment on his enemies. The words are harsh and come across as vindictive. They don't seem to fit in with the New Testament concept of loving our enemies and turning the other cheek. David is calling down curses from God on those who oppose him. He asks God to destroy them. So what are we supposed to do with this information? Are we to use this Psalm as a pattern for our own prayer lives? Does the content of this Psalm provide us with a pattern for how to respond to those who oppose us or try to do us harm? I think the answer is no.

The real lesson of this Psalm is that life is difficult. Even David, the king of Israel and the man who was known as a man after God's own heart, found himself facing difficult situations. He was falsely accused, unjustly attacked, and under constant threat of betrayal from both within and without. We must always remember that David was writing as the king of Israel. He was the anointed, God-appointed leader of the nation and was responsible for opposing all those who stood against God and His people. David's job as king was to defeat the enemies of Israel and defend the people of God. As the king, he represented God and was the target for attack by all those who refused to acknowledge Yahweh as the one true God. David is obviously frustrated and fearful. He is tired of the constant attacks on his leadership and his person. He is weary of all the false accusations and clandestine attempts to dethrone and defeat him. He is frustrated by the ill treatment he receives from those whom he has shown mercy and grace. In his frustration, David calls out to God to turn the tables and give these individuals a taste of their own medicine.

The real key to understanding this Psalm is NOT based on what David asks to be done, but on who he asks to do it. David is the king. He could have taken matters into his own hands and given these people just what he prescribes in this Psalm. He was a warrior and had a strong army at his disposal. He was the ultimate judge in the land and could have enacted judgment and meted out justice as he saw fit. David could have taken matters into his own hands and solved all these problems in his own way. But instead he called out to God. He appealed to the ultimate judge of all men and asked Him to act as his advocate and protector. These Psalms are brutally honest and paint a very clear picture of the pain and frustration that David felt. They are an accurate glimpse into the life of this man who tried to love and serve God all his life. He shares his heart with God, honestly opening up about his feelings. He holds nothing back. But in the end, David places all of this in the hands of God. He knows the solution to his problems are going to come from one source only: God. He knows victory comes from God. He knows rescue comes from God. He knows justice comes from God. And he knows that God knows everything that is going on in his life. So he asks God to come to his defense, to take up his case and declare him innocent. David is willing to wait on God. Yes, he struggles with what appears to be God's apparent delay in answering, but he waits nonetheless. He gives God his cares and concerns and trusts Him to do what is right. Why? Because he knew that "Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace? (Psalm 35:27 NLT).

Father, life can be hard. People can be difficult. Sometimes I am tempted to take matters into my own hands in an attempt to solve my problems. But help me to turn to You instead. You are my advocate, protector, and rescuer. You know what is best and You always do what is right. Amen

Experience the Goodness of God. (Based on Psalm 34)

Psalm 34 – Day 2

I am going to praise God constantly,

Because I have plenty of reasons to do so.

My entire life will be a display of God's glory. E

veryone who finds themselves in trouble will be encouraged.

Let's tell of God’s greatness together;

And brag about His reputation, fame and renown.

I looked to God for help and He heard me.

He released me from all the fears that controlled and captivated me.

The faces of those who turn to God will be filled with joy, not shame.

I was in a sorry state when I called to God,

nd He heard me and rescued me.

God sends His angels to guard those who fear Him,

Surrounding and protecting them.

The goodness of God is something you have to experience.

When you take refuge in God, you discover true joy.

Those who have been chosen by God should fear Him,

Recognizing that He provides all that they need.

Even a ferocious lion gets hungry at times and in need of food.

But everyone who puts their trust in God never does without.

So listen to what I have to say children,

I will teach you what it really means to fear God.

If you want to live a long and successful life,

Learn to control your tongue and watch what you say.

Resist doing what is wrong and instead do what is right.

Do everything to live a life of peace.

God has his eyes on those who love this way.

He listens to their cries for help.

But as for those who live in opposition to God, He turns away from them,

And everyone forgets they ever existed.

But His people have His full and undivided attention.

He delivers them from every predicament and problem.

When you find yourself heartsick and hopeless, God will be there.

He encourages the discouraged.

The reality is that even the godly will face tough times.

But God will be there to rescue them each and every time.

Because He protects the righteous,

Even keeping their bones from breaking if necessary.

But as for the wicked, they can expect everything to go wrong,

Those who are God-haters will be punished.

But those who love and serve God will be set free.

Instead of condemnation, they will find refuge.

Discovering God's Goodness – The Hard Way.

Psalm 34 - Day 1

“By experience you will see that the Lord is good; happy is the man who has faith in him." – Psalm 34:8 BBE

The goodness of God. We read about it, hear sermons about it, and are encouraged to believe in it. But the truth is, sometimes we doubt it. We may find it easy to sing, "God is so good," but when we find ourselves in times of trouble, we begin to question the validity of that statement. We wonder whether God will come through for us. We waffle and waver in our belief that God has our best interest at heart, and then we begin trying to decide how to take care of our problem on our own. David had moments like this, and Psalm 34 was written after just such an experience. He found himself at odds with King Saul. Things were so bad that the king had tried to kill David with his own hands. Then when the king's own son, Jonathan, questioned his actions, he tried to kill him as well. David was forced to run from Saul and go into hiding. This was a difficult time for him, because he had to leave everything he knew and love behind. It must have been a confusing time for him as well. He had been anointed to be the next king by Samuel the prophet. God had given him a great victory over Goliath, the Philistine warrior. David had served King Saul in his court and gained a reputation as a mighty warrior. He had married the king's daughter and become best friends with the king's son. Now he was running for his life. None of this must have made sense to David. He must have questioned the goodness of God. He is so confused that he runs away to the city of Gath, the hometown of Goliath, the Philistine he had killed with his sling and a stone. I don't know what David was thinking when he attempted to seek refuge in the city of his enemies, but he found himself in a real predicament. Even they knew of David's reputation and saw him as the next king of Israel. They said, "Isn't this David, the king of the land?" David knew he was in trouble, so to save himself, he came up with the idea to pretend he was insane. He began scratching at the doors like a madman with drool dripping out of his mouth. Convinced of David's insanity, the king of Gath allowed David to leave unharmed. David ends up hiding in a cave in the wilderness where he was joined by his family and other disenchanted individuals who were chaffing under the reign of King Saul. It was sometime during this period of David's life that he penned Psalm 34.

David had doubted the goodness of God. He had allowed his circumstances to influence his belief in God's inherent goodness and unfailing love. Even though he had been chosen by God and anointed as Saul's successor, David had a hard time comprehending any good coming out of all that was happening to him. He could not see the hand of God behind the difficulties he was experiencing. So he panicked and came up with his own plan. But David was going to learn from experience that God is good – all the time. Because it is only through our experiences that we truly discover the goodness of God. David could say, "The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time" (Psalm 34:19 NLT), because he had experienced the truth of this statement in his own life. David was going to have plenty of times in his life where things would not make sense. There would more than a few occasions when he would find himself under attack, overwhelmed, out of his league, and down on his luck. But he would learn to trust God. He would learn to rely on the goodness of God. God would hear him when he called. God would rescue him out of trouble. God would meet all his needs. God would be close to him regardless of what was happening to him. Through the experiences of life, David would learn the reality and reliability of God's goodness.

Father, You are good. You have never shown Yourself to be otherwise in my life. There have been plenty of times when I have doubted it, and like David, I have come up with my own solution to my problems. But my plans always prove to be a bad substitute for Your goodness. Continue to teach me to trust You regardless of what I see happening around me or to me. Troubles are going to come, but so is help, because You are good. Amen

Worthy Of My Praise. (Based on Psalm 33)

Psalm 33 – Day 2

Everyone who claims to be a follower of God should sing His praises,

Because that's the natural response of those who have been made righteous by Him.

It makes all the sense in the world to praise Him for what He has done.

We should praise Him with all kinds of music,

Making up new songs to celebrate His name and express our joy.

Why? Because every word that comes out of His mouth can be trusted,

And you can count on every single thing He does.

He not only loves justice, He loves making sure justice is done,

And it is always an expression of His unfailing, all-encompassing love.

This is the same God who spoke the universe into existence.

He breathed and the stars suddenly appeared.

He created the land and the oceans.

So even the whole physical world should stand in awe of God,

And every single person who lives on this planet should fear Him.

For no other reason than that He is the creator God,

Who formed all that exists with the mere power of His voice.

This same God is greater than any nation.

It is completely up to Him whether their petty plans ever come about.

But His plans are eternal and unstoppable.

His intentions are inevitable and irreversible.

So any nation that worships God has reason to be happy.

Any people who have been chosen by God are truly blessed.

God has a prime vantage point from which to watch all men.

He carefully observes them, considering their actions,

And because He knows their hearts, He knows and understands what they do.

It all boils down to trust.

But even a king can't put all his trust in his army.

A great soldier can't always trust in his own strength.

Even a battle-proven weapon might not come through every time.

But those of us who love and fear God can trust Him.

He watches over every one of us who rely on His unfailing love.

He keeps us from dying prematurely,

Sustaining our lives even in the worst of times.

So we trust our lives to God, waiting for Him.

Because He is the one who helps and protects us.

In the end we will experience true happiness,

Because we have decided to trust in His reputation.

So God, show us Your unfailing love and mercy,

Because we expectantly wait for You to come through.

Praise Him Because You Can Trust Him.

Psalm 33 – Day 1

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does." – Psalm 33:4 NLT

Do you trust God? I mean really trust Him? If we're honest, we have to admit that there are a lot of things in our lives that we either refuse to trust God with or we fear trusting to His care. But David reminds us that we can trust God with anything and everything. After all, He made everything that exists in the universe, from the solar system to the earth itself. He created the land and the oceans, and everything that lives, including you and me. He is greater than the most powerful nation on the planet. He can easily frustrate their best-laid plans and bring to nothing all their schemes for glory and power. And this great, powerful, awesome God not only loves righteousness and justice, He loves seeing that it happen, and He is powerful enough to bring it about. But the key to comprehending and appreciating the power and justice of God is to have a right relationship with Him. David knew that the Hebrew people had been chosen by God. Not because of anything they had done or because they somehow deserved His selection of them. No, God had chosen them and made them His own. He had blessed them with His presence and prospered them with His power, often in spite of their own stubbornness and stupidity. So when David considers the greatness and the graciousness of God, he can't help but say "sing for joy to the Lord!" He tells us to praise Him and rejoice in the fact that we have been chosen by Him. We are to fear Him, honor Him, respect Him, and rely on His unfailing love. We are to put our hope in Him, understanding that He alone is who we can trust. Only God can save. Only God can rescue. Only God can deliver. So we put our trust in Him. Hope is anticipatory. Hope is expectant. Because hope is based on truth – the reality that God is faithful, powerful, merciful, and fully capable to accomplish His will on our behalf. It flows from His unfailing, unceasing, unquenchable love for us. He loves us. We belong to Him. He will not abandon us or forget about us. We can trust Him to do what is just and right on our behalf, even when we might not understand or like what is going on at the moment. We can praise Him preemptively because we KNOW He is going to come through for us eventually.

Father, I praise You now for what You are going to do, not just for what You've already done. Your grace and mercy to me is guaranteed by Your own character. Your love for me never fails. Your power on my behalf is never limited. So I can praise You now for what You have yet to do. Because You will always do what is right and just. Amen

Forgiven! (Based on Psalm 32)

Psalm 32 – Day 2

What an amazing fact to know that every sin I commit is forgiven by God!

That every sin I commit against Him is put out of sight and out of mind.

I can rejoice because God has removed all need for guilt and shame,

When I simply choose to live my life in openness and honesty before Him!

But on those occasions when I refuse to admit my own sin,

I am the one who ends up suffering.

Because I belong to Him, I feel Him convicting me throughout the day,

And I get no peace until I acknowledge what He already knows – I have sinned.

But then I come to my senses and choose to confess the truth,

And stop acting as my sin is too insignificant or non-existent.

I finally reach the point where I decide, “It's time to come clean with God!”

And then, amazingly, my sin is forgiven, just like that!

So why wouldn't those who claim to serve God, cry out to God?

Why would they choose to suffer judgment when forgiveness is offered?

God wants to be our protector and provider.

He wants to bless us, not curse us. He desires to bring us joy, not sorrow.

He says, “I can open your eyes and show you the right way to live,

I'll provide you with all the advice you need.

But you can't be head strong and hold on to your sins, requiring that I have to do things the hard way, like a stubborn horse needs a bridle.”

Those who choose not to follow me can expect trouble in life,

But for those who choose to trust me, they can expect mercy from me.

So do what God say, and rejoice.

Be happy because God forgives sin and gives us pure hearts.