I went outside a while ago. I saw green trees and green grass and gray gravel. I know I did because I know that stuff is out there. But I don’t recall any of it registering in my conscious mind.

God’s mercy and goodness is the same:

“He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD” (Psalm 33:5).

Everywhere and all the time, the Lord’s goodness is “there.”

But too often I’m too busy and preoccupied about other things . . . and His goodness just doesn’t register with me.

That’s my loss to my own poverty.

Lord, open my eyes and my heart that I may see and rejoice in and be encouraged by Your abundant, earth-filling goodness.

That word signaled the musicians to do one of two things: play more loudly or play on alone while the singers stop.

I can feature the singers stopping when they got to the end of this verse:

“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” (Psalm 32:5).

The song wasn’t over but this was such a tremendous truth that the singing itself stopped so people could give focused thought on what they had just heard.

I won’t try to hide my sin and wrongdoing. I will say to God, “I did it. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. And help me not to do it again.”

Then God forgives! Wow!

Selah for sure — be sure you think about that, Mark.

Now you may continue singing.