OUR DAILY BREAD : THE EXCHANGE

[cimi]

WEDNESDAY JULY 22


AN EXCHANGE

READ:
Psalm 32:5 NIV
_____________________________________________________________________________________
I said, "I will
confess my
transgressions to
the LORD," and
you forgave the
guilt of my sin.
____________________________________________________________________________________

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.

*********************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 32*******************************
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin
is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not
impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my
groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand
was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought
of summer.

5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not
hidden. I said,, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a
time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters
they shall not come near him. 7 You are my hiding place; You
shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with
songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I
will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the
mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed
with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in
the LORD, mercy shall surround him. 11 be glad in the LORD and
rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>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).