Freed and forgiven

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 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. Psalm 32:1-5

There are burdens that are difficult to carry but nothing can compare to the guilt because of unforgiven sin. But God, in His love and mercy, is willing to forgive and remove the guilt when we ask Him. Every true believer will eternally be grateful for the forgiveness of sins God provided through Jesus’ coming, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His resurrection. Sins of omission, sins of commission, sins of disobedience, sins of deliberate rebellion, sins of lust, covert sins, “little” sins as well as “big” sins, etc. were all forgiven. It is a thrilling experience to understand that once we receive His gift of salvation, the penalty of sins was paid in full. This is freeing and provides a reason for rejoicing. This is what King David was expressing from the text. He was blessed to know that sins are forgiven. God declared that sins are covered and guilt was removed. In every way, once forgiven sin is removed and no longer counted against us. However, this gift of forgiveness requires action on our part. David realized the gravity of the sin he committed when he lusted after his neighbor’s wife, committed adultery with her, and had her husband killed to cover it all up (see 2 Samuel 11:1-27). The effect of sin was unbearable that when he kept within himself the sins he committed and will not repent and turn away from his sinful life, every part of himself was being wasted away (Psalm 32:3-4). This is why he will not take it lightly the forgiveness God gave him when he repented. Once we come to God in repentance and confess, God will forgive. And just like the Psalmist, the only response a believer offers because of God’s forgiveness is to worship and offer his life to God wholeheartedly. If we do not share the appreciation David expressed because of the forgiveness of his sin it might be that we lack understanding of what sin could do in our lives. He knew that he stepped over the boundary of the standard God set, thus he transgressed. But God’s grace is enough to cover for He “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com