Reveal | Day 37- April 5 | Psalm 41

Have you ever had a conversation with someone, possibly even a good friend, and the conversation ends with you feeling less than great or even worthless? You’re pouring out your heart to them, and they give you nothing. You’re being vulnerable or seeking accountability, and they use it against you or gossip about you to others.

David may very well have this feeling in Psalm 41 as he knows he is sinful and he confesses his sins to God. Meanwhile his friends are using it as slander against him and wishing him dead.

David cries out to the Lord and asks for mercy. Instead of death, like his friends wished upon him for his sin, God offers mercy and grace. David is speaking to God in verse 10: “But you, O Lord, have mercy on me; raise me up, that I may repay them.”

David cries out his confession to God asking that he not receive death, as his friends had wished upon him, but rather to be upheld by God to then keep those friends accountable as well. Again, David is speaking to God in verse 12: “In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.” David knows his honesty with God about his sins brings him closer to God and gives him the ability to speak truth to others.

Like David, we have the opportunity to be honest with God. He loves to hear our cries, whether it be the sin we need to confess or praise we offer gladly. We can thank him for the mercy he offers us when we confess our sins. We can thank him for His power within us to speak truth to others, including those friends that can be difficult.