"God Pause Daily Devotional" The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 7 June 2016 with Scripture Psalm 32

"God Pause Daily Devotional" The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Tuesday, 7 June 2016 with Scripture Psalm 32
Psalm 32:(0) By David. A maskil:

(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,

those whose sin is covered!

2 How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,

in whose spirit is no deceit!

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

because of my groaning all day long;

4 day and night your hand was heavy on me;

the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)

5 When I acknowledged my sin to you,

when I stopped concealing my guilt,

and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”;

then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)

6 This is what everyone faithful should pray

at a time when you can be found.

Then, when the floodwaters are raging,

they will not reach to him.

7 You are a hiding-place for me,

you will keep me from distress;

you will surround me

with songs of deliverance. (Selah)

8 “I will instruct and teach you

in this way that you are to go;

I will give you counsel;

my eyes will be watching you.”

9 Don’t be like a horse or mule

that has no understanding,

that has to be curbed with bit and bridle,

or else it won’t come near you.

10 Many are the torments of the wicked,

but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai.

11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous!

Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

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Human instinct invites us to retain the sins of others and to hide our own faults. This world tempts us to keep score and project outward strength so that our failures and fears cannot define us publicly. But when we hold them in at all costs, they do define us publicly. Holding onto our sin and shame is exhausting work that leaves time and energy for little else.
I am in awe of the brave and vulnerable work of AA's Step 5: "We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs." Not generally. Not an overview. Not simply what comes to mind in the moment. This step is a labor of love that is confessed only after careful consideration of the details. Revealing these specific reflections and secrets can take a long time. It can feel overwhelming, scary, and counterintuitive.
The psalmist promises that releasing our iniquities leads to forgiveness, abundant life, and freedom from fear. And in the midst of this grace, our hearts can tip upright and shout for joy like never before.
Merciful God, your judgment is an instrument that interrupts our lives, calling us to trust you with our worst so that your best can spring forth. Give us courage to turn around when we hear your call. Amen.
Meta Herrick Carlson
Zion Lutheran Church, Minneapolis
Master of Divinity, 2008
Psalm 32:1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. (Selah)
5 Then 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)
6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. (Selah)
8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do 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.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.[New Revised Standard Version]
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