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! (Psalm 32:1-11 NLT)
Over the centuries, many believers, overcome by an awareness of their own sins, have found peace in the word repentance. Here in (Psalm 32), is David’s confession of his sin with Bathsheba. David wrote this Psalm after his encounter with the prophet Nathan and perhaps after spending time alone with God in prayer and repentance, as well as the height of joy at being forgiven. There is Joy in the knowledge that God would respond to confession and repentance with complete forgiveness. God wants to forgive sinners. Forgiveness has always been part of His loving nature. He announced this to Moses (Exodus 34:6-7):He revealed it to David; He fiercely showed it to the world through Jesus Christ. These verses convey several aspects of God’s forgiveness: God forgives disobedience, puts sin out of sight, and clears our record of guilt. Paul quoted these verses in (Romans 4:7-8), it showed that we can have this joyous experience of forgiveness through faith in Christ.
So, what is confession? To confess our sin is to agree with God, acknowledging that God is right to declare what we have done as sinful and wrong to desire or to do it. It means affirming our intent of forsaking that sin in order to follow God more faithfully. We who live on the other side of the cross of Christ can rejoice even more because we understand more. God has shown us that he is willing to forgive because His judgement on sin was satisfied by Christ’s death on the cross.
As we read this Psalm, note the pattern followed in responding to God: (1) They recognized their sinfulness and tendency to do wrong; (2) They realized that sin was rebellion against God himself; (3) They admitted their sins to God; (4) They trusted in God’s willingness to forgive; and (5) They accepted his forgiveness. This Psalm is a reminder of how easy it is to drift away from God and fall into sin, and what is needed to reestablish that sweet fellowship.
In Psalm 32:2, tells us that the confessing sinner is blessed (“happy”) because no sin is beyond God’s ability to forgive. God even forgave murder and adultery in David, just as God will forgive any person who confesses their sin (Psalm 103:3; Romans 4:7,8; 2 Corinthians 5:19).
So, when you find yourself discouraged because you have repeated a certain sin, turn to God in prayer for His strength to overcome sin. Ask Him to apply His forgiveness to your life and receive His mercy.
For further readings that emphasize these themes, I invite you to read: Psalm 6; Psalm 14;31;32;38; 41; 51; Psalm 102; Psalm 130; Psalm 143
Be Encouraged Today!
God Loves you and desires for us to enjoy a more deeper, intimate fellowship with Him.