Combobulating the Discombobulated Soul

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1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.    Psalm 32:1-4

Sin discombobulates.

Funny word, but its no joke!

We may not like that reality and so we redefine and create our own coverups to the sometimes vague, sometimes distinct, sense of discomfort accompanying personal responsibility for our attitudes and actions toward God, people, and His Creation.

The Bible reveals God, holy and pure; who does see us and who does judge us. “Silence” (32:3) on the part of David was not about agreeing with God regarding the reality of his sin. David’s silence was an attempt to

void God,

avoid God,

and escape responsibility for his transgressions, iniquities, and deceit.

There was grace from God even in David’s withering soul-health. The heaviness of soul as a product of God’s judgement generated confession:

5I 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.  Psalm 32:5

Thus David’s joyous beginning: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Praise God! “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

Rock Bottom Prayers

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17Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 20He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. 21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! 22And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!    Psalm 107:17-22

Psalm 107 describes what its like to be intercepted by the grace of God when we come to end of ourselves and finally cry out to Him. I love this description: “he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.”

Some wandered in desert wastes, looking for a city…
Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death… prisoners…
Some were fools through their sinful ways…
Some went down to sea in ships doing business on the great waters…

When we quit mistaking our deepest desires for God as some kind of drive to be fulfilled by our own achievements, collections, or meditations, God is ready for our call. When we are at the end of ourselves, God is available. When we attain our dreams and discover a prevailing emptiness, God is listening.

He rescues. His word heals. His love lasts. When the world offers no reason for celebration, God provides hope and help. Jesus presented Himself to those who had come to end of themselves… and would admit it. To some Matthew’s party was full of losers. But not to Jesus! He said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”  (Luke 5:31)
Rock-bottom prayers may not sound pretty, but they are the sound of grace.