Our Daily Bread -- An Exchange July 22, 2015

Read: Psalm 32 Bible in a Year: Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35 I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. —Psalm 32:5 Jen sat on her patio pondering a scary question: Should she write a book? She had enjoyed writing a blog and speaking in public but felt God might want her to do more. “I asked God if He wanted me to do this,” she said. She talked with Him and asked for His leading. She began to wonder if God wanted her to write about her husband’s pornography addiction and how God was working in his life and their marriage. But then she thought that it might publicly disrespect him. So she prayed, “What if we wrote it together?” and she asked her husband Craig. He agreed. While he didn’t say what sin he committed, King David engaged in a public conversation about his struggles. He even put them into song. “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away,” he wrote (Ps. 32:3 niv). So he said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” (v. 5). Not everyone should go public with their private battles. But when David confessed his sin, he found peace and healing that inspired him to worship God. Craig and Jen say that the process of writing their deeply personal story has brought them closer than ever. How like God, who loves to exchange our guilt, shame, and isolation for His forgiveness, courage, and community! —Tim Gustafson Do you need to make an exchange with God of guilt for forgiveness? He is listening. God forgives those who confess their guilt. INSIGHT: Like many psalms, Psalm 32 was written after a time of struggle and hardship. That is why it begins with such a wonderful and comforting affirmation: “Blessed is the one . . .” (vv. 1-2 niv). But we must not overlook the path David took to be able to make that statement. David had gone through anxiety and depression while hiding his sin. The blessing came only when he acknowledged and confessed it to the Lord (v. 5). Share your thoughts on today’s devotional on Facebook or odb.org.

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Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all. Our vision is to see people of all nations experiencing a personal relationship with Christ, growing to be more like Him, and serving in a local body of His family. To read today's Our Daily Bread online visit www.odb.org. Copyright © 2015, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from Our Daily Bread Ministries for any further posting or distribution. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.   Our Daily Bread Ministries | 3000 Kraft Ave | Grand Rapids, MI 49512 Manage Your Subscription