Daily Worship

GOD’S DUSTMAN CLEARS OUT THE RUBBISH AND RESTORES SANITY

March 09, 2017 0 0

Psalm 32

A David Psalm

32 Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—
    you get a fresh start,
    your slate’s wiped clean.

2 Count yourself lucky—
    God holds nothing against you
    and you’re holding nothing back from him.

3 When I kept it all inside,
    my bones turned to powder,
    my words became daylong groans.

4 The pressure never let up;
    all the juices of my life dried up.

5 Then I let it all out;
    I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—
    my guilt dissolved,
    my sin disappeared.

6 These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
    when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
    we’ll be on high ground, untouched.

7 God’s my island hideaway,
    keeps danger far from the shore,
    throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

8 Let me give you some good advice;
    I’m looking you in the eye
    and giving it to you straight:

9 “Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
    that needs bit and bridle
    to stay on track.”

10 God-defiers are always in trouble;
    God-affirmers find themselves loved
    every time they turn around.

11 Celebrate God.
    Sing together—everyone!
    All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

The person who wrote this psalm knew a lot about forgiveness!

He knew about the effort there is in avoiding it,

in fighting against God’s offer of a clean slate.

He knew the effort there is in hiding from ourselves

the extent of our shortcomings and even our deliberate sins.

He knew that unacknowledged regrets and shame

can take away our peace of mind and health of body.

He described his decision to hand all his rubbish,

all the weakness and wrongdoing,

over to God,

And the sheer relief it gave him.

As he said at the beginning of the psalm – 

“Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be –

You get a fresh start,

Your slate’s wiped clean...

God holds nothing against you

And you’re holding nothing back from him.”

It is everyone’s dream – 

A relationship with nothing to hide,

Simply a relationship to be lived in love and joy!

No wonder he recommends everyone prays to God

while He may be found!

 

 

PRAYER

For the deep reservoir of your love,

Which time and again engulfs us with your forgiveness

We shout - thank you, thank you, O God!

When we hesitate to ask for forgiveness,

When we forget the past experiences of your love,

When we cling proudly to our mistakes,

Give us the insight to let go

And once more to trust you with our brokenness.

Healer who was wounded for us,

Renew us, and restore us in your service,

Amen