Don't Be a Horse (Psalm 32:8-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 32:8-9

Sometimes I feel like a "horse or ... [a] mule ..." Did that catch your attention (if so, you should click on the link to today's scripture!)?

The psalmist writes that the Lord wants to instruct and teach us. He wants to guide us. But sometimes we're like horses or mules that must be harnessed in order to lead them.

I love horses. I fell in love with them when I was a preteen. We lived in Cerritos, California, before there was a shopping center or auto mall. Behind us lived a family that owned a few horses, and I just loved visiting them. I rode a bit when I was younger, and I've continued my infatuation to this day (even though I don't get a chance to ride these days ...). Can't say I know much about mules ...

One thing I have to say, though: Horses don't usually seek to be guided or led. They would much rather be out in the pasture roaming free. They must be trained, and that training usually includes a bit and harness, which curtails their freedom. Sometimes, in the training process, a horse will rebel, pulling against the restraints.

Sometimes, I too try to pull away from God's teaching. Can you relate?

Then I stop to think about what it really means that God wants to teach me. Instruct me. It is His desire that learn more about Him, that I know Him more and more deeply.

I can learn from Him, be instructed by Him, be guided by Him—that's one of the reasons He left His written word for me ... for you.

Don't be like a horse ... or a mule ... and fight God's instruction. Read His word. Study it. Meditate on it. Seek His guidance every day, every moment. Follow His path.

Songs of Praise (Psalm 32:6-7)

Today's scripture: Psalm 32:6-7

I love to worship God through song. It's one of my very favorite things to do. I especially love praise songs based on scripture. I not only get to sing to the Lord, but I also get to memorize His word!

In fact, often, I find a praise song that speaks to my heart, and then later, I learn it comes directly from the Bible. I love that!

A long while ago, I fell in love with a simple praise chorus:

You are my hiding place. You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. I will trust in You. Let the weak say I am strong in the strength of the Lord.

It's a simple song, but full of such truth. And its words come from today's scripture.

Our God invites us to climb up on His lap and find refuge in His arms. When we are afraid or uncertain, we can hide in Him. We can trust Him to fulfill His perfect will in and through us.

We are weak; He is strong. We are lost; He shines His light. We're in trouble; He preserves us.

We can trust Him because He is fully and completely worthy of our trust.

Unconfessed Sin (Psalm 32:3-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 32:3-5

On Friday, we talked about the blessing of forgiveness. We also talked about the two paths that are often taken: using forgiveness as a license to sin (may it never be, as Paul often wrote), or continuing to wallow in guilt. Neither is the way our Lord wants us to live.

There's a third path today's verses deal with: unconfessed sin and its repercussions. Once we confess our sins, God is indeed faithful to forgive them (1 John 1:9). We no longer need to live under their burden.

However, sometimes, we have a hidden sin—well, hidden from everyone but God, that is. We have a secret addiction or a unhealthy habit. We hold it closely, not willing to give it up. What often happens, though, is that hidden sin becomes a stronghold, an obsession. And often, that hidden sin causes other issues, including physical or emotional issues. The New Living Translation paraphrases verse three:

When I refused to confess my sin,
my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

Now, certainly not all pain and suffering is because of unconfessed sin. Many godly, committed believers deal with chronic pain or disease. However, sometimes, we do experience physical suffering because of sin.

What's the solution? Confess! God knows our sins, even those we try to keep hidden. All He wants is for us to come to Him, confess, accept His gift of salvation, and sin no more.

When we do, He forgives. He forgets. 

Forgiven (Psalm 32:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 32:1-2

Forgiven.

Stop and read that word again. We who follow Christ talk about being forgiven all the time. It's a foundational principle of our faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to earth to pay the penalty for our sins and to offer forgiveness.

Sometimes, though, I think we use a word so much we trivialize its meaning.

Forgiven.

It's defined as "to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve."

We say we're forgiven—and we are. Then, often, one of two things seems to happen. We either accept forgiveness and go on our merry way, living as we choose, then going back every once and a while to confess only to continue the cycle.

Or we continue to beat ourselves up over past sins, forgetting the second part of the definition: absolve. Absolve is defined as "to free from guilt or blame and their consequences." 

Jesus hasn't just forgiven us from our sins, He has taken the burden of those sins off of us and has placed them on Himself. Our Lord doesn't want us to live with guilt. In fact, His word reminds us:

How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!" (CEV, Psalm 103:12)

He has forgotten our sins. We should do the same.

If you have asked Jesus to come into your heart and forgive your sins, you are forgiven. Be grateful for what He did for you. Live to please and honor Him. Find joy in the confidence of your salvation.

For you are indeed blessed.

Love the Lord! (Psalm 31:23-34)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:23-24

This psalm runs the gamut from crying out in pain to amazing words of praise.

We can “love the Lord, all you His saints!”

Why?

Because He “preserves the faithful.”

He protects, provides for, and guards. He offers a stronghold from our enemies.

We can “be of good courage” because the God of the Universe cares for us. He gives us strength. He comforts us. He encourages and affirms us.

Because He is love and grace and mercy, holy and just, righteous and good, we can have hope in Him.

Indeed, “love the Lord, all you His saints!”

God Listens (Psalm 31:21-22)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:21-22

I know I’ve written this before, but I’m continually amazed that the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, wants to hear my voice.

Astounding.

He wants to hear my praises. My needs. My intervention for others.

Somehow, amidst the millions of other voices crying out, He hears me. He hears my voice. And He listens.

Astounding.

He invites me to crawl on His lap, lay my head on His chest, and share what’s on my heart.

And He invites you to do the same. Praise Him. Call out to Him. Share what’s on your heart. He’s listening.

To me. To you.

Simply astounding.

God's Goodness (Psalm 31:19-20)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:19-20

The first part of this psalm deals with pain and the consequences of sin. Yet, it is clear that David loves and trusts his God.

Even in the midst of suffering, he states—without doubt—that God’s goodness is great, and indeed it is.

He adds a caveat, though. God’s goodness is great for particular people: “for those who fear [Him]” and “for those who trust [Him].”

God loves everyone. Everyone. However, only those who are His children, only those who have committed their lives to Him by accepting the gift of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection, will experience His goodness.

Do you know God? Really know Him? Have you given your life to Him? Have you asked for forgiveness?

If you don’t, then you can’t expect His goodness. I encourage you to meet Jesus now. If you’re not certain how, please send me an email, and I’ll introduce you to Him.

Then, even when things are difficult (and storms will come), you can know God’s goodness.

Mercy (Psalm 31:14-18)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:14-18

On Monday, we looked at the consequences of David’s sin and how he cried out for mercy.

Today’s verses illustrate David’s faith in that mercy.

Regardless of his sin, regardless of how others treated him, David knew He could trust His God … because he knew His God.

David knew that God would deliver him. He knew that God’s “face [would] shine upon” him. He knew that God would “save [him] for [His] mercies’ sake.”

We’ve talked about mercy before, how it’s not getting what we deserve.

David knew he deserved punishment for his sin, and indeed he did experience consequences. But he also knew that he deserved separation from God, for that is what sin does. Instead, God forgave him.

We also deserve separation from God for our many sins. Yet, God offers mercy. He offers grace. He offers salvation.

If you think you deserve punishment for your sin (and perhaps you will receive it …), be confident that God, in His mercy, will forgive you.

Just confess and receive it (1 John 1:9).

Cry Out to God (Psalm 31:9-13)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:9-13

Psalm 31 is credited to David, and today’s verses resonate with his pain and suffering. His cries for help aren’t unusual; many of his psalms are similar. However, unlike others of David’s psalms, he knows that his suffering is a result of his own sin.

You’re probably familiar with David’s story. Shepherd becomes giant-killer. Soldier becomes king. He is blessed. He is a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).

Yet, he is also human, and he falls. He lusts after Bathsheba and commits adultery with her. He arranges for the death of her husband.

Sin indeed.

As a result of his sin, he loses a child. He faces hostile enemies. Trouble abounds.

And so he cries for mercy. He calls out to the One whose love abounds …

You may be facing suffering or pain or trouble as a result of your sin. But you can also cry out to God for mercy. He will forgive; He will offer grace.

That’s not to say your trouble will cease. There may still be consequences. However, you can know God’s mercy and strength even if the pain continues.

Just cry out to Him.

Be Known (Psalm 31:5-8)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:5-8

In this world of social media, email, text, tweets, etc.—all of which can be accessed in the privacy of our homes—sometimes, it’s easy to be anonymous … and to feel anonymous.

Sometimes, we can feel … well, unknown. People only see what we post. They so often don’t know us. I mean, really know us.

And for some, maybe that’s a good thing.

But for others, it can be lonely feeling unknown. We long for others to know the real us, the people behind the posts or the tweets.

I have some good news! There is Someone who knows us—inside and out, the good and the bad (and everything in between).

God knows us. Really knows us. He knows our thoughts, our fears. He sees the joy … and the sorrow.

If you’re feeling unknown, cry out to the One who knows you intimately. And loves you anyway. 

Trustworthy (Psalm 31:1-4)

Today’s scripture: Psalm 31:1-4

Some of us find it difficult to trust. We’ve been abused. Wounded. Betrayed.

Hurt by words. By fists. By neglect.

We certainly haven’t found anyone on earth worthy of our trust.

I wasn’t very trusting for much of my younger life. Too much hurt from too many hands. I didn’t trust easily … especially men.

Even the God I’d heard about since birth seemed to have turned aside.

Then I met the man who would become my husband. When we met, he was still dating another woman, and he and I became good friends. I watched how, even when other women we worked with would flirt with him, he was always loyal to his girlfriend.

He seemed trustworthy.

And now that we’ve been together for almost 34 years, I can say without doubt that he is.

It took a bit longer for me to realize that God, too, is trustworthy. When I thought He’d abandoned me, I realized that I had abandoned Him. He’d “had my back” even when I’d turned that very back from Him. He protected me, provided for me, cared for me.

My Lord and I have been walking together every day for 25 years. And I can say without doubt that He is trustworthy.

Without doubt.

Mourning into Dancing (Psalm 30:11-12)

Today's scripture: Psalm 30:11-12

Some of you are in the deepest of valleys. You've lost a loved one. You can't find work. Your health is failing. You have a prodigal child.

You're mourning. You're wearing figurative sackcloth. And you can't imagine dancing ... perhaps ever again.

I don't in any way want to diminish your pain or suffering or loss. You need to grieve. You need to weep.

But may I encourage you to do something else? May I encourage you to "sing praises to [God] and not be silent"? May I encourage you to "give thanks to [God] forever"?

I know this may seem impossible, and I certainly don't know your exact pain. I do, however, know my own, and I do remember a time when I let suffering steal my joy, and I didn't offer any praise or thanks to the Lord. For too many years, I allowed experiences with abuse to keep me in perpetual mourning.

It was only when I fell to my knees in utter and complete surrender to God—knowing if I didn't, I would likely not survive the pain—that I finally found gladness. I was finally able to dance ... even in the storm.

I still grieve sometimes over lost years and current ill health. Yet, even in the pain, I still dance. I still praise. I still thank my God.

If you're mourning today, certainly allow yourself to grieve. But in your grieving, go to your God. Ask Him for His supernatural peace ... and praise Him.

Lord, Have Mercy! (Psalm 30:6-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 30:6-10

Many, many times, I have echoed the words of one of today's verses: "Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!"

I've written over the last few days of how I'd love to be healed of my earthly afflictions. I would love to have no pain. I would love to have energy. I would love not to be so very, very weary.

Yet, at least for now, God's answer to my prayer for healing is, "Trust Me, my child. Rely on Me for your daily strength." Many mornings, I wake up and ask Jesus to hold my hand more tightly, giving me just enough strength for that day. (Chronic health issues do certainly make a person live just one day at a time!)

I do cry out for God's mercy and help, and He answers that prayer ... every time.

I'm sure I've written this before, but it bears repeating: God always, always answers our prayers when we pray for His will and purpose. In my case, His purpose seems to include my poor health. Yet, even on the most difficult days, I know I can cry out for His mercy and help, and He will answer that prayer ... with a resounding, "Yes!"