GOD’S GRACE AND FORGIVENESS (part-7)

GRACE-FORGIVENESS (part 7)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

When considering the ‘grace’ of God, we need to realize that
God’s ‘forgiveness’ is an important component of His grace.
Consequently, we need to spend some time on the topic of
‘forgiveness’.

How can we find forgiveness? The Bible says we have all sinned,
so that means we all are in need of forgiveness, doesn’t it? We
need forgiveness from God, and maybe from others as well. But
we have to be honest in admitting that forgiveness can be elusive.

Sometimes, we’re too ashamed to ask for it, so we live with our guilt
over the things we have said, done, or maybe even thought. However,
God does not want us to carry a burden of guilt, He wants us to be
forgiven.

For over a year after his sin with Bathsheba (and his arranging for the
murder of her husband, Uriah), David refused to acknowledge his sin.
But we see in Psalm 51, that he finally confessed his sin, and how he
prayed, asking God to forgive him.

In Psalm 32, David looks back on that whole experience, and he encourages
all of us to seek forgiveness. As we read this psalm, we need to remember that
this is written by a tormented man, who has waited over 12 months before
getting right with God. In verses 3-4, we see the effects of unconfessed sin.
Without the confession of our sins, we cannot expect God’s forgiveness.
    When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning
    all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon
    me, and my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
    (Psalm 32:3-4)

There was a span of silence between God and David (who God
said was a man after His own heart). Why? Because David did
not choose to confess his sin. As David describes his pain, we
can sense the trauma he was dealing with.

He was wasting away.
    My bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.
David felt his energy and strength had diminished. He became
weak as a result of carrying the burden of his unforgiven sin.
As the weight of his soul began to have an impact on his body,
he felt like an old, worn out man.

Not only did he feel he was wasting away, he also felt weighed down.
    For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me
Why was he feeling ‘weighed down’? It’s because God was causing him
to feel that way. God’s hand was not heavy on David to simply remind
him of his guilt; God’s hand was heavy on David to draw him back, and
cause him to recognize his need of forgiveness.

David was wasting away, he was weighed down, and he was wearing out.
    My strength was sapped as in the heat of summer
David says that the strength of his soul was being drained away.

If we back up to verses 1-2, we see the power and blessings of forgiveness.
    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.
    (Psalm 32:3-4)

(watch for part-8 of the series tomorrow….)

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