Ps. 32
In yesterday’s reading Nathan told David, “The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die” (2 Sam 12:13b). David suffered consequences for his actions, but God forgave his sin and spared his life. That may well be what moved David to pen these words, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin Is covered” (Ps 32:1). Because David knows firsthand the power of God’s forgiveness, He also says, “Therefore let everyone who is Godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found” (Ps 32:6a). Like David, may I be mindful and grateful of God’s great and undeserved forgiveness and encourage others to do the same!
Ps. 51
The first verse of this Psalm, also written by David after his transgression with Bathsheba, rightly points out that God’s mercy and forgiveness have nothing to do with us. They are, instead, due to God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy. And in verses 16-17 David points out that burnt offerings and such are not what move God to mercy. Instead, “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
John 3:16-36
John the Baptist kinda reminds me of Jonathan. They both knew it was not about them. They were quite content to support the one who was above them (David, in Jonathan’s case, and Jesus in John’s). It was John who made that statement that we all need to adopt, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).
There is a note in my Bible that says that some interpreters believe that verses. 31-36 are also a part of John the Baptist’s response to his questioners in this passage, though my text does not include it in John’s quoted statement. I can certainly see how this could be part of his response and not just more of John, the author’s, commentary. John the Baptist appears to have had a very good understanding of what the One he preceded was all about and this text basically reiterates what Jesus just said to Nicodemus earlier in this chapter concerning that very thing. Jesus came from heaven to bear witness to what is True, and whoever believes and receives this Truth, which manifests itself in obedience to God, will have eternal life.