Psalm 32:1-5 NLT
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
David’s detailed and intense description of his battle with sin and confession offers us such a great encouragement to go straight to the Lord and be honest with all our confessions. We see the journey of David trying to ignore his guilt and pain, his loss of even physical health, and then his ultimate surrender of all rebellion. Healthy acceptance of shame through confession brings us in line with authentic humility and our dependency on God.
Is there an area of life that you are trying to rectify on your own? A sin… that you are reluctant to call a sin… or rationalize away? Maybe an attitude or something that we feel entitled to hold onto that we really should confess. something that we know, to use David’s words, “are causing our body to waste away”?
Listen to verses 1, 2 and 5 once again—the result of full confession and acceptance of forgiveness:
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! … You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalm 32:1-2, 5 NLT)
Can you see the power in confession and surrender?
Today, if you relate to any part of David’s words, take his advice and make things right. Confess and then accept the joy and freedom of total and absolute forgiveness.
Pray with me using David’s words: “Heavenly Father, forgive my disobedience. Put my sin out of sight. Clear my record. Thank You for forgiving me. Now, may I let go of my guilt and accept Your grace. As above, so below.”