Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Psalm 32 (NIV)
Of David. A maskil.
1 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!
Have you felt like God is not to be found?
Lord, I cry out to You. I have a heavyweight on my heart that is weighing me down. I believe in You, trust in You, and shared my deepest desires with You in prayer. You are quiet. Where are You, Lord? Help me to trust that like the current of a river flowing, that Your Spirit is flowing and moving things under the surface that I can not see. You are mighty and powerful and can do all things. Keep my heart focused on Your love and forgiveness. Make any sin in my life known to me so that I may repent. Help me to forgive others to keep the bitterness from polluting my life. Sin and evil hearts do not go undetected by You. I trust their fate to Your judgment and fury. In Your time the mighty waters will rise up in a raging flood and wash away all of their evil deeds. The raging waters will not reach Your faithful. You have kept Your loving eye on me and will protect me and deliver me from evil. You are my hiding place. Teach me what I need to learn from my inflictions and show me the way that I should go. Help me to follow the promptings of Your Holy Spirit. Allow me to hear Your voice daily, to listen to Your instruction, walk in Your ways, and trust in Your love. You protect me from trouble and put songs in my heart. In all things, whether I feel You or not, whether my prayers are answered as I desire or not, I will continue to worship You and trust in Your mighty hand. Amen