“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7
Genuine knowledge requires the correct foundation and worldview upon which to base one’s understanding. Reverence and honor for the LORD God, who created the heavens and earth and sent His Son into the world to redeem us, are the beginning of genuine knowledge, but many despise and neglect the wisdom and instruction God gives us in the Bible.
LORD God, move me to read and study Your Word and honor You as my Creator and Redeemer. Amen.
“Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Psalm 32:11
Those who humble themselves, repent of their evil ways, and look in faith to Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness have every reason to rejoice and be glad, for in Christ, they are forgiven, counted righteous in God’s eyes, and have eternal life in communion with God.
Grant me the joy of Your salvation, O LORD, and preserve me in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting. Amen.
“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.” Psalm 32:10
The unbelieving and wicked suffer God’s wrath in this life and His eternal condemnation in the life to come. Those who repent of their sins and look in faith to the LORD God for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus are surrounded by the mercy of the LORD in this life and will, in the life to come, partake of the eternal joys of heaven!
Preserve me, O LORD, from the sorrows which come upon the impenitent and unbelieving, and keep me in the true and saving faith that Your mercy may surround me now and forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 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.” Psalm 32:8-9
When we confess our sins to the LORD and look to Him for pardon and forgiveness in Christ Jesus, He forgives our sins and teaches us to walk in His ways; His Spirit instructs us with the words of Scripture. But God warns us not to be like a horse or a mule, which needs a bit and a bridle to get it to come near you and go where it is directed.
O LORD, forgive our transgressions for Jesus’ sake, teach us to live as You direct us in Your Word, and keep us from foolishly going our own ways instead of following after You. Amen.
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
Those who confess their sins and trust in the LORD God to forgive and accept them for the sake of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for sin have a hiding place in the wounds of Jesus. The LORD preserves them from the judgments to come upon the impenitent and unbelieving and surrounds them with songs of praise for His salvation.
Let me hide under the shadow of Your cross, dear Lord Jesus, that I may be saved from Your righteous judgments upon this world and rejoice in Your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
