Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 32:1-7
32:1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
32:2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
32:3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
32:4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
32:6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
32:7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
Reflections
The affects of one’s unconfessed sin can leave one feeling physically and spiritually drained. When we begin to indulge in a sin that does not recognize its need for a repentant heart, it begins to eat away at our hearts and streams out into our lives. This Psalm depicts two different pictures when it comes to the response of sin. The first is being unresponsive and choosing to dig deeper into our sin. The second is a repentant heart.
- The unresponsive heart: verses 3-4 paint a picture for us in clearly showing what happens when one chooses not to confess their sin. There is a physical side affect as well as a spiritual one. The Psalmist is describing how their body began to waste away. The sin began to erode and eat away at him, and it began to further separate him from God. Sin can have devastating affects on our lives if we choose not to come before God with a repentant heart. Learn from this Psalmist and do not allow for yourself to get caught up in sin’s snares. Depend on God’s steadfast love for you and ask for strength to keep walking on obedience everyday
- Repentant heart (vs 2, 5-7): What we can learn from this response to sin is that there ends up being true joy, forgiveness and a renewed heart. When we confess our sins to God, our hearts become opened to looking at obedience in a whole new light. God desires for us to pursue Him because in Him we can find true satisfaction in this life that sin can never give. Whenever we are faced with the temptation to fall into sin, we can be rest assured that God will give us the strength to turn and run into His arms. The times when we do slip, we can also be guaranteed that when we confess, forgiveness is given.
We humans struggle with processing our sins. We hide them from others. We pretend they one thing when they are another. We assume that others don’t sin like we do. We make excuses for why we sinned. We ask for forgiveness without actually forgiving ourselves. The world of sin is one shrouded in darkness and secrets.
But God wan’t better for us. He is abounding in grace and always ready to forgive. He is patient and forgives both old and new transgressions. There is a reason why our hiding place is in the Lord. He is there no matter what and He loves us even when we don’t act like we love Him.
Acknowledge your sins to the Lord. Let the weight be removed. Do not carry the weight and burden of sin on your shoulders when God is waiting to take the load off of you.
[Featured image from methodism.com]