IPsalms Remix - Old tunes for New life: soul searching

We hope your summer is off to an amazing start! Wherever you may travel, make it a goal to continue to worship by seeking out a local church where you are, or joining us online during the weeks ahead. We continue our series Ipsalms Remix, Old Songs for a New Life. All of us experience “soul searching.” It is defined as an “examination of one’s conscience, especially of one’s reasons and values.” (Merriam-Webster online dictionary). Sometimes as we examine our souls, we may find ourselves burdened or overwhelmed with the hurt from the past, the anger of the moment, or just our lack of joy. Other times, it is hard for us to face the disconnect that we experience between what we believe and what we do. We want a good life but how do we find it? This week in the sermon, Soul Searching, we turn to Psalm 32. As with many of the Psalms, we do not know the background or events that led David to write this Psalm, but it is described as a “reflective poem.” We know that God confronts him with the state of his soul and it was not good. David realized how lost he had become, but he also experienced God’s goodness and love. As he was drawn into the darkness of his broken life, God’s marvelous light of forgiveness was shining upon him! David’s inspiration is the guiding light of the Holy Spirit bringing us out of the darkness into the power of God’s love and grace. As you read this reflective poem, may God shine upon you a gracious light. A light that can remix your doubt of his love into the confidence and joy of his presence! Our prayer is that God’s goodness shining in Psalm 32 will be your guide toward a life of blessing and hope!

Psalm 32:1 Of David. A maskil. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. ² Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. ³ When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. ⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. ⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. ⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. ⁷ You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. ⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. ¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. ¹¹ Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! (NIV)