Related Articles
Table of Contents
Truly Trusting God
Psalm 32:6-11
Today’s Insights
A penitential psalm is a personal lament where the author confesses sin, expresses sorrow in repentance, and entrusts himself to God’s mercy and forgiveness. David wrote five of the seven penitential psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 143). Scholars also attribute the remaining two—Psalms 102 and 130—to him, though the author isn’t identified. For about a year after his adultery with Bathsheba, David refused to repent until the prophet Nathan confronted him (2 Samuel 11-12). The superscription to Psalm 51 indicates it was written when “Nathan came to [David].” Many scholars believe this was also the background of Psalm 32. David speaks of the crushing burden of guilt in his denial of sin (32:3-4) and the joy of receiving God’s forgiveness when he confessed and repented (vv. 1-2, 5). He contrasts the blessedness of repentance (vv. 1-2) with the anguish of living with unconfessed sin (vv. 3-4). Repentance reveals our desire to willingly follow God and experience His purifying presence (1 John 1:9).
Today’s Devotional
The stray cat mewed pitifully, stopping me in my tracks. I had just walked past a pile of food that someone had carelessly discarded on the ground. Wow, God’s provided a meal for this hungry cat, I thought. The food was hidden behind a nearby pillar, so I tried to lure the emaciated cat to it. It moved toward me trustingly—then stopped and refused to follow me further. I wanted to ask, Why don’t you trust my directions? There’s a whole meal waiting for you!
Then it struck me: Don’t I act similarly in my relationship with God? How often have I responded to His directions thinking, I do trust You, God, but I don’t think Your instructions are reliable—not realizing that His divine provision might be waiting right around the corner.
God’s paths are trustworthy, for He loves us and has our best interests at heart. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you,” He tells us (Psalm 32:8). Yet He doesn’t treat us like animals that need to be controlled (v. 9). He desires for us to follow Him willingly and promises His everlasting presence as we do so: “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him” (v. 10). All we need to do is just keep following Him, knowing that He’ll be with us every step of the way.
Reflect & Pray
What fears or concerns keep you from trusting God completely? What is He guiding you to do at this time?
Dear Father, please teach me to trust You completely, for I know You love me and desire nothing but the best for me.
