My goodness

The wicked will have to suffer,
but those who trust in the LORD
are protected by his constant love.
You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice
because of what the LORD has done.
You that obey him, shout for joy!
(verses 10, 11)

Read Psalm 32

David knew all about fear and guilt.

As a young man he had been a fugitive, in fear for his life at the hands of the king he would one day replace. Later he would be conscience stricken, with the blood of an innocent man on his hands, an adulterous affair heavy on his heart.

Above all, however, he had faith and confidence in the God who had helped him defeat the giant Goliath, who had preserved him from the threat of Saul and who had forgiven him, after repentance, the serious sins he had committed .

Because of God’s undeserved love and acceptance, he could stand in the divine presence as an upright man and celebrate, not his own goodness, but the goodness of God.

My goodness is similar to David’s. It is not how I am but it is how God chooses to see me when, through repentance, I experience his love and forgiveness. I am as happy as David.

Dear God, thank you for wiping away my many sins and accepting me as you would a good person. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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