Summertime
1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
3When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
4For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.
5I 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.
Psalm 32 NKJV
I’m writing this article while enjoying our Memorial Day weather. The day began hot, but rolling thunderstorms moved in, the temperature dropped to the 60s, and the sky poured before the temperature returned to the upper eighties.
My mind turned to the Bible as I asked myself, where is summer mentioned in scripture. I found Psalm 32. This beautiful psalm, attributed to David, speaks to the heart of our relationship with God and the power of His grace.
True happiness comes from being in right relationship with God. In a world that often weighs us down with guilt and shame, the promise of forgiveness is a refreshing reminder of God’s love and mercy.
David goes on to describe the burden of unconfessed sin, illustrating how it can lead to physical and emotional distress. Unconfessed greed, lust, anger, sloth, or pride. It is like a Texas summer with no rain in sight, wearing down the soul like a grape on the vine. Holding onto guilt can be exhausting, but when we confess our sins, we open the door to healing and restoration.
The turning point in the psalm comes when David acknowledges his sin to God. “I acknowledged my sin to you and my iniquity I have not hidden.” Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
This summer, embrace the joy of forgiveness, acknowledge your shortcomings, and rejoice in the love of our Lord. Enjoy the Lord as much as your summer vacations, adventures, and family reunions. And live in the light of the Lord’s grace, sharing the blessings of forgiveness with those around us.
© Patrick K Welton