Hope for the Hopeless-
The Wanderer
Article by Carter Cada - Written 9/20/2023
The greatest of blessings…
As believers, we are blessed in so many ways. The Lord has blessed us with salvation, his love, and many other wonderful things.
Many of these blessings are unconditional promises made to us. Others are obtained by obedience. But what about Psalm 32?
One of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Psalm 32 doesn’t give a blessing for doing right or serving others. Instead, it is a blessing for those who have sinned.
In my younger years, I didn’t understand the value of this verse. Why should anyone deserve a blessing when they’ve done wrong?
Others have had to work hard for what they have, why should someone get it for free? Blessings should be for those who help others, not hurt them.
Yet, as someone older, more mature, and as someone who has made mistakes along the way, these verses have become so much more meaningful to me. But why?
The Wanderer
He sat, leaning against the wagon. He tried to sleep, but the pangs of his stomach from both hunger and thirst were too much. Unfortunately, as discomforting as these were, they didn’t distract any from the throbbing in his ankle. The sounds of the night were no comfort either: roaring predators and buzzing insects keep him awake out of either fear or irritation. There was only one word to describe his condition – Misery. *
The Wanderer is one of the many books by an author under the pseudonym “A Lady Of England” (or, A.L.O.E., as she is often credited).
A.L.O.E. is one of my favorite authors, having written some of my other favorites, like the Robber’s Cave and The Giant Killer to name a few.
The Wanderer follows the story of a young man named David, who, discontented with life at home, seeks to enjoy himself abroad in the world. He finds himself in South Africa, where, without connections or money, he is employed by the cruel Hans Kuhe, who treats him little better than a slave.
As the two travel, misfortune befalls the two, and David is left in the wilderness to perish. As David is left without hope, he turns to the source of all hope, and receives Christ as his personal Saviour. A new spirit within him, the story narrates David’s growth in the Lord, understanding his forgiveness, and in turn, learning to forgive those who wronged him.
The central theme throughout the book is Psalm 32, the verses that convict David of his need for forgiveness. If you’ve never read the entirety of the Psalm, you are missing out on one of the best promises in all of scripture-
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledge 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.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
So what is this “blessing for the sinner?”
Like the rest of us, I’ve sinned (big shocker, I know). I remember times in my life when I messed up badly. Because of sin comes loss. Maybe you lose a status, a position, or your reputation. Maybe you hurt a friend, and they leave you.
Sometimes, after a failure, it can feel like nothing will ever get better, that you’re finished, that you’re done (which, by the way, if that is how you are feeling, check out my article here on how to never truly fail!).
It was at one of the hardest moments in my life that I felt this way. I’d messed up, and lost my best friend because of it. So many things were falling apart, some because of me, some because of others.
I was scared, and I was out of hope.
That’s when God reminded me of Psalm 32, and especially the first verse:
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Even as someone who sinned, even as someone who had to bear consequences for what both I and others had done, I could be blessed? Even in my darkest moment, God wanted to bless me?
And friend, it’s not just me. The Lord wants to do the same thing he did for me for everyone who has ever done wrong, and has ever lived with the guilt of their wrongdoing.
Needing some encouragement? Then let me tell you: you need to read this book!
About the author
Carter John Cada is the founder of and main author for Quips from the Quiver. In his free time, he loves to read, spend time with his 10 siblings, read, work out, read, work on his manuscript, read, and read.
He also enjoys eating.
