Conversion & Calling, Student Workbook, SW01

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C O N V E R S I O N A N D C A L L I N G

The Blessing of Misery

Devotion

Read Psalm 32.1-11 . Have you ever struggled with a guilty conscience? Not of false guilt, mind you, but knowing in your heart you did something wrong, and you were feeling bad about what you did-you wanted to make up for it, resolve it, do right by the person you hurt? This sense is one of the healthiest inner states you can ever be in. While it may appear miserable and difficult, even shameful, the sense of being convicted of your wrong, and what you did, is one of the most significant feelings to have. No doubt about it; this state of being convicted, of sensing your own guilt before God in your conscience, is associated with feelings. In a real sense, the person who does wrong and has no sense, no feeling of responsibility or blame within, is in serious spiritual trouble. To lack the ability to be convicted by God makes you vulnerable to do wrong with no sense of repentance, sorrow, or willingness to change. David in this psalm speaks directly of God’s ability to forgive, and his own sense of pain and shame while he delayed his repentance and return to the Lord. The misery we sense when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin is a blessed kind of misery, different than all other forms of inner struggle or pain. This misery can enable us to understand our own transgression, God’s righteous standard, our inability to keep God’s truth in our own strength, and our indebtedness to God for the wrong we’ve done. This misery leads us to the truth about ourselves and about God; we will be miserable until we admit our guilt before God; this misery leads us to the only one who can forgive us for our sin. Of all the things we need if we are to remain intimate with God, the greatest is a conscience that can be easily made aware of what God wants and his willingness to show us mercy if we are only ready to admit what we have done wrong, and come to him to receive his mercy afresh. Thank God for the blessing of misery! After reciting and/or singing the Nicene Creed (located in the Appendix), pray the following prayers: Eternal God, our Father, thank you for the life-giving power of theWord of God, and how your Holy Spirit implants that Word within our hearts. Thank you for his gentle convicting power, that reveals to us both our unworthiness as well as your great mercy. You are willing to forgive those who come broken and open before you. Give us grace today to stand in need of the convicting power of your Word, and the cleansing power of your Son’s blood. With you and you alone there is mercy and forgiveness and grace. To you be the glory, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen!

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Nicene Creed and Prayer