When Life is Stale

"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. ⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah"

Psalm 32:3-4

Reading through this Psalm this week I was prompted to see this in fresh light.  David penned this psalm considering the oppressive nature of sin:  when he refused to confess and repent of sin it gnawed at him day and night.  The picture he paints is one wasting away in pain, a dry soul groaning in distress.  A tree lacking moisture withers and dies, and the drought of summer sapped him of spiritual vitality.

There are certain foods which are delicious when moist, but when the moisture dries up they become stale and unpalatable.  Because of sin David's life became dry and stale.  It is a strange thing how the composition of baked goods changes dramatically for the worse when exposed to air for extended periods of time.  We do not need to interview David to learn more because we also have experienced besetting sins which made our lives stale:  tasteless, worn out, without novelty or power to please.  The things we used to enjoy or live for just aren't as great as they used to be.

In Psalm 1, David compared the child of God to a tree planted by rivers of water that is fruitful in season, its leaves do not wither and it prospers--quite the contrast to the dryness of summer drought.  In verse 4 David ended the line with "Selah" which means to pause and consider.  It is good for us to stop in our tracks and take personally what has been written, examining our own lives to see if we too are dry like a dessert, if ministry has become stale, if relationships are drying up.  The way we feel can be a telling indicator of our need to make personal changes to seek and honour God.

David followed up action with Psalm 32:5:  "I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah."  Healthy introspection led to confession of sin and forgiveness by our gracious God.  David acknowledged his sinful deeds and also his crooked heart.  He didn't just "Selah" concerning his sin or how twisted and corrupt he was but also revelled in the forgiveness and restoration of his relationship with God.  We can spend a great deal of time wallowing in our failures rather than rejoicing in the forgiveness God delights to give.

Has life become a bit stale?  Pour out your heart to God in confession and know He hears and will answer.  In an instant God can transform a soul that resembles a barren desert into a fruitful oasis by His grace, mercy, and unfailing love.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus can bring radical transformation and renewal to your life today.