Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Fall & Forgiveness
“Blessed
is he whose transgressions are forgiven whose sins are covered.”(V.1)
David, the man
after God’s own heart knew the danger of fall & guilt and the need for
forgiveness & Grace. Today many people suffer from guilt feeling. It
is the dread of the past; a pain that dwells within our heart and
it haunt the person each and every moment.
Just like
others, King David also had good reasons for feeling guilty. Scholars believe
that David wrote Psalm.32 after he cried to God for forgiveness for his double
sin of murder and adultery (2 Samuel.11 &12). But David accepted his guilt
and sin through his faithful and open confession that we see in this psalm.
The first step
on the road to recovery and relief from sin is admitting that something is
wrong in our life . V.5 says, David acknowledged his sin. Then he said “I did
not conceal my iniquity”. He stopped trying to hide his sin that is the
second step. He also accepted the reality of sin and told God, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord”. When we confess our sin to God we agree that we
have rebelled against His authority .When we truly confess our sin to the Lord,
He will give us the forgiveness. That means he takes away the burden of sin and
guilt. The remission of sins gives rest and relief to those who are weary and
heavily laden(Matthew.28).When we confess our sin, God erases the sin and guilt
so we need to forget it. God doesn’t remember any confessed sin. So when David
felt relieved he proclaimed “happy are those whose transgressions are
forgiven”.
It is painful to
look back at our choices through the lens of regret and feel the weight of
failures. This was the case for the psalmist before his confession. After a personal
episode of sin and failure, David wrote, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
but who he trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him (V.10). God
expects our sincerity not perfection. He looks at our hearts when we sincerely
repent our sin. Our God is loving and forgiving. Let us submit our heart
to Him without hiding and then we will experience the blessedness of
forgiveness.
Prayer: Dear Lord I have sinned against you in
thought , word and deed. I ask your forgiveness and renewal. Take my shame
and give my life………..Amen
Thought for
the day: “If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness”( 1 John.1:10 )
Rev. Shibu Mathew Epiphany MTC, NY