Psalm 32 (Listen)

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil¹ of David.

32:1   Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2   Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3   For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
4   For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up² as by the heat of summer. Selah
5   I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6   Therefore let everyone who is godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
  surely in the rush of great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
7   You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
8   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9   Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.
10   Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11   Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

(ESV)

Bursting in worship, David grasps for words. Humbled by the greatness of the Almighty: mindful of tiny dust, eternity at His fingertip. O soul stop to consider, feast on the unfathomable depth of His glory: He forgives, heals, redeems, crowns with steadfast love and mercy, filling beyond the brim of satisfaction!

Forget not that He is a loving Father, full of understanding and compassion toward His little ones and their limitations. Simply fear Him and receive His steadfast love, five times mentioned to convince.

The result of God’s galactic and global glory among the host of heaven and earthen vessels who do His will is His eternal praise, the blessing of our soul, and our Lord.

2 Corinthians 6:1–13 (Listen)

6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

  “In a favorable time I listened to you,
    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you,¹ Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

(ESV)

The apostle displays the surpassing value of knowing Jesus above all sufferings and sacrifice. No matter the trial, knowing and making Him known provides sustaining power and satisaction for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Because of their hardships, these Corinthians treat them as impostors, doubting their validity and therefore the validity of their message. Yet what proves the possession of the Prince of Peace more than persistent rejoicing through such sorrow? They have nothing, yet just the kind of “nothing” we all want, for having only Him they have all! This cannot be denied and ought instead to commend them worthy of Corinthian affection.