Today's Daily Bread
Surrounded By Mercy
It was almost impossible not to see the giant billboard with the
red background and huge white letters that shouted: “This year thousands
of men will die from stubbornness.” Later I learned that the billboard
was one of hundreds just like it targeted at middle-aged men who
typically avoid routine medical screenings and often die from
preventable conditions.
Psalm 32 deals with the spiritual disease of sin, which can be
treated by honest acknowledgment and repentance. The first five verses
express the anguish of hiding our guilt and then celebrate the joyful
release of confessing our transgressions to God and being forgiven.
This psalm goes on to show that the Lord longs for us to seek His
help in difficulty (vv.6-8) and receive His guidance. “I will instruct
you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My
eye” (v.8). We are hindered, though, when we stubbornly refuse to follow
His direction and repent from our sin.
God’s Word urges us, “Do not be like the horse or like the mule, . . .
which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come
near you” (v.9). Rather than hold on to our sin, the Lord offers an
alternative: When we humbly confess, His mercy shall surround us (v.10).
Heavenly Father, help us now
At Thy feet to humbly bow;
Take away all thought of sin,
Make us clean and pure within. —Bartels
Take away all thought of sin,
Make us clean and pure within. —Bartels
The first step to receiving God’s forgiveness
is to admit that we need it.
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