Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 32:1-5
Ps 32:1-5
1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"--and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
1 John 1:8-10
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
We have all heard someone say, “confession is good or the soul.” But confession by itself may or not help us. Paul talks of a godly sorrow as opposed to a worldly sorrow. The first leads to repentance and the latter to death. Godly sorrow regrets the act that has been done while sorrow of the world just regrets being caught or having to suffer the consequences of the action.
In our Psalm, David is acknowledging the sin he had committed against God. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba, had her husband killed and then tried for some time to cover his sins to the nation of Israel. When confronted by the prophet he was honest with himself and with God and said, “I have sinned.” He did not try to shift the blame or make excuses. He simply admitted his sin.
It was in the admission of his guilt that he found peace. While denying his sin, he could not sleep, and his soul tormented him day and night. His conscience was a constant reminder of the terrible things he had done. By confessing his sin with a genuine heart of repentance, he received absolute forgiveness from God. While he still had to suffer the consequences of his wrongdoing, he was at peace with himself and with God. We too can find peace when we confess our sin and accept the forgiveness of God that is available to us in Jesus Christ.
Our Father in heaven, holy, sinless and forever good, I know I have sinned against you so many times in so many ways. I thank you for your forgiveness in Jesus Christ. While I often remember some of the things I have done and wish I had never done them, I know that you no longer hold them against me and that gives me peace of mind. As I rejoice in Jesus and his work on my behalf, use me to lead others to you so they can also find your forgiveness, peace and joy. Be with those who are suffering and give them your healing. I pray in Jesus name.
Robert
