For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Psalm 32:4, NIV

 

Summer is a favourite season for many people. We associate it with energy, growth and abundance. In nature, the blossoms of spring become the fruits of summer. In the Bushveld, the trees are lush and green, and wildflowers bloom in abundance (if you're willing to venture out and discover them). Summer is also the season of thunderstorms and streams of water flowing from the mountains. However, it can become blazing hot, causing the Earth to scorch, which worries our farming communities about their crops.

 

In Israel, summer usually stretches from May to September. It’s a hot, dry season, and temperatures in the south can rise well above 40°C. David, the author of Psalm 32, had a deep connection with both God and nature. Starting as a young shepherd boy, he ultimately became the king of his nation. Throughout his life, he never forgot the experience of watching over his father’s sheep in all kinds of weather.

 

As an adult, David made many mistakes. At times, he strayed far from the Lord. Psalm 32 is a testimony of God’s grace toward sinful people. Psalm 32:1-2 says: “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

 

This Scripture describes the ideal state of human life – to live in harmony with God. It doesn’t mean we never make mistakes, but in the summer of our lives, we begin to reach spiritual maturity. We take responsibility for our relationship with the Lord, and when something is wrong or sin has taken root, the Holy Spirit reveals it to us. Psalm 32:1-2 remind us that God does not want to hold our sin against us – he wants to forgive and cleanse us, so that our spirit may be free from deceit. David discovered that silence about sin brings suffering.

 

Psalm 32:3 says: “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” Then comes our main verse: “For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” A hot, oppressive summer can be quite uncomfortable! Similarly, life becomes hard when we are not at peace with God. When David felt the Lord’s hand pressing down on him, it was not to destroy him, but to draw him back into the intimate relationship for which he had been called. David says in Psalm 32:5: “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.”

 

The Lord longs to forgive us and restore our relationship with him. When we find ourselves in the summer of life, we must use the opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with God. David encourages us in Psalm 32:6a: “Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found.” Without the Lord, summer is difficult to endure!

 

Prayer: Lord, like David, I sometimes wander away from you. Keep drawing me back into the relationship you long to have with me. Bless my spirit with the gentle summer rain of your grace, so that I may grow and bear fruit to your glory. Amen.