I read these words this morning: “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Psalm 32:3-5)
One of the things which plagues many people-vexes them may be an even better word-is the failure to find forgiveness. It’s not from another person refusing for forgive. It’s not even from me refusing to forgive another. It is something much deeper, even more devastating.
It is the failure of me to forgive me. And that isn’t from me not realizing I have sinned. I think I’m pretty aware of when I do. No…the problem is my failure to acknowledge it and take it to God to receive His forgiveness.
David’s scenario in Psalm 32 is his awareness of his sin, but trying to hide it, especially from the eye of God. “For when I kept silent” says a lot. It is a refusal to acknowledge it; to speak it; and to be honest.
But there is a consequence from that failure and David says so. That next phrase sums it up: “My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long…my strength dried up as the heat of the summer.” David is saying, “Make no mistake. The failure to acknowledge sin; the failure to confess it; the failure to speak truth will cause one’s spirit to dry up. The body rebels. The spirit revolts. The consequences are pronounced.
But don’t lose sight of what happens when we do acknowledge and confess it. That last phrase is like a diamond in a sea of mud: “You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” There is new life, new hope, a fresh outlook, and a renewed spirit that results from confession of sin.
Don’t harbor sin. Don’t try to hide it. Don’t kid yourself into thinking there are no consequences. The consequences aren’t worth it. Confess it and know freedom.
You have to wonder how we even think for a brief second, that we can hide anything from God. Admittedly, I can say it has happened to me, or I try to explain or reason why I did what I did. Ultimately, I am humbled by the amazing grace I am given. The steadfast love of our Lord, to give us new mercies every morning, we have so many reasons to sing unending praise. God showers us with so much more than we ever deserve. Father help me to take that message to the culture, to be ready to tell my story for Your kingdom.
You are right Gail. How can we even think? Then again, our arrogance seems to crop up from time to time. I am grateful for His “new every morning” mercies.
We certainly can’t hide our sins from God, so we might as well confess to Him and be done with it.
Blessings, Bill!
You most definitely read my mind Martha. 🙂
The consequences surely aren’t worth it. Such true words! How I thank the Lord for His forgiveness and the peace it brings!
No they certainly aren’t. I join you in that thanks.
Why try to hide what God has already forgiven… Past, Present, and Future!
I just need to remember to live like I am forgiven vs trying to drag around the chains of sin that have long since be unshackled
You hit on the real issue Ryan…trying to carry those chains around. they sure do get heavy.
Sin is like an anvil.. it weighs us down, and it’s like a anchor… it sinks us. So glad that we really can’t hide and that He loves us just as we are… We wouldn’t have a chance otherwise!
Good analogies Ed. And yes, we would have no chance otherwise.