Forgiveness

Ps. 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Who wouldn't say Amen to those verses? We have all known the guilt of unforgiven sin, of harsh words railed out in the heat of the moment, and of heated actions flailed out in uncontrollable anger. We have all felt the deep pain and regret when those words or actions could not be recalled. Similarly, we have all felt the deep remorse at the unending hurt we have caused others. But are those sins against God? Well, anger, revenge, and lack of self-control, no matter who they are aimed at, violate God's word. So yes. In most cases what we do that wrongs others wrongs God as well. So it truly is a blessing that our sins are forgiven and covered! And that is all because of Jesus, His shed blood, His death, and His resurrection. He paid the debt of my sin and has covered me in His righteousness. 

I know that for the psalmist David forgiveness was a huge blessing. He must have been keenly aware of his potential for sin and humble enough to admit what he had done. He acknowledged that he could confess openly to God, that he didn't try and hide his sin from God, and that he was assured of forgiveness from God. Like David, we need to pray, to offer God whatever is in our hearts, the good and the bad, the praise and the confession. He is our hiding place, our refuge from trouble, and our deliverer. David concludes this psalm by contrasting the wicked and the righteous. The wicked has only sorrow. He must live with all that he has done. There is no recourse for the guilt that he carries.But the righteous has the surrounding love of God and His gracious forgiveness. So Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! 

Father,

Thank You for forgiving me. I know that I sin so much and many times the same sins over and over. Yet You never tire of forgiving me. Truly You have surrounded me in love and blessed me in so many ways.

In the name of the One who made it possible,

Amen