Pocket Thoughts - 7/24/26
Sometimes the best teacher is experience. The second-best teacher is one who’s already had the experience and is willing to share it with others. In Psalm 32, David describes what he’s been through in the hope of sparing others from unnecessary pain. He graphically portrays the weight of the conviction of his sin and how confession before the Lord has lifted the great burden of his guilt. As one who has sinned against the Lord, he describes the blessing of being forgiven a great debt and the freedom of soul that forgiveness brings. His warning appeals to those who walk where he once walked - plodding along in their sin – and is a call to them to stop their stubborn behavior. He knows the wicked, evil ways of their hearts lead them far from the Father because he’s been there. He knows God takes no pleasure in disciplining His wayward children but loves them too much to allow them to follow a path that only leads to emptiness and darkness. God will use every means possible to draw them back to Him, sometimes even using hard correction if necessary. But His first means of drawing them back to His heart is through His kindness and goodness. Romans 2:4 says, “…God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” If the weight of your own guilt is heavy on your shoulders, listen to the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice of conviction. Don’t resist the grace and mercy of your Lord. Come Home, friend. The Father is gentle and loving, and He’s waiting for you. “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.” (Psalm 32:10)
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Father, who can fathom the depths of Your love? Who can dive to the bottom of the ocean of Your grace? Who can climb to the heights of Your goodness? No amount of longing can take us there for You see to the core of our hearts, and there’s a problem. Out of the abundance of Your love, You honestly bring the bad news – we’re riddled with a sin infection that calls for radical, ruthless removal. If ever we’re to bask in the glory of all that You are, You, the Great Physician, must step in to excise what we – apart from the saving work of Your Son Jesus – would choose to nurture and coddle. What a painful mercy – the cauterizing of our rebellious wills. Lord Jesus, thank You for providing the remedy for the fatal disease we all carry. You are life and wholeness and deliverance. In You, we’re healed. Because You’ve made us well, we’ll one day experience those depths of the Father’s love, swim in that ocean of grace, and scale the eternal ascent to the heights of Your goodness. We pray with thanksgiving in Your beautiful Name. Amen.
