Forgiven and covered ∙
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity. . . and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. – Psalms 32:1-2,5
Psalms 32:1-11
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
4 . . . My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
11 So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all of you whose hearts are pure!
Persistent guilt is a prevalent theme in literature, often driving both character development and plot dynamics. It can propel narratives, frequently leading to themes of redemption, forgiveness, and self-discovery.
Set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne narrates the tale of Hester Prynne, who is publicly shamed and ostracized for committing adultery. As punishment, she must wear a scarlet “A” on her chest.
Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester’s lover, contends with his secret guilt and shame. His guilt consumes him, impacting his health, while Hester’s estranged husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks vengeance. The novel highlights how guilt can shape stories and character arcs, sparking deep philosophical and ethical discussions.
Guilt and remorse for what we have done have terrible, haunting consequences. We are plagued with memories, sometimes vivid images, shame, and fear.
Almost every child of the King has suffered from agonizing guilt. And no matter what we do, nothing seems to remove it. Human effort and repeated attempts to clean ourselves are inadequate and ineffective in relieving a conscience tormented by guilt.
Have you ever asked yourself, “Why is this so?” The Father created physical and spiritual laws by which the material and immaterial worlds are governed. They are always at work. When we break the Father’s spiritual laws, we experience real guilt. It is unavoidable. Whatever we sow, we reap!
What is the answer? How can such a terrible, haunting, recurring sense of regret and remorse be adequately dealt with? Are freedom and relief possible? If so, where and how?
REFLECT & PRAY
Galatians 6:7-8
7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Father, the burden of past guilt, dread, and fear weighs heavily on me. I yearn for release! Thank You that You sent the Lord Jesus Christ to atone for my sins and purify my conscience so I may serve You. As I openly admit and confess my sins and transgressions, I thank You for Your promise to forgive me, wipe the slate clean, and grant me a fresh start.
INSIGHT
“Confession clears our hearts spiritually and makes it possible for us once more to experience deep fellowship with God. Unconfessed sin makes us weak, discouraged, and ultimately miserable” (Stanley).
The Lord Jesus Christ died for all our sins, transgressions, and iniquities. If that were not enough, He also died for our guilt and shame. His shed blood is the Father’s answer for each child of the King. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ washes away our sin, shame, and guilt and cleanses our guilty consciences.
Isaiah 53:4-12
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.
10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin . . ..
11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
12 He Himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors.
The Father longs for each child of the King to be clean and free. The Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself for every sin, transgression, and wrongdoing we have committed. Beyond that, He also carried the burden of our guilt and shame. His spilled blood is the divine solution for all the children of the King. It purifies us, erasing both our sins and shame, and cleanses our troubled consciences.
But there is more!
Hebrews 9:13-14
13 If the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity.
14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can serve the living God.
INSIGHT
God sent the Lord Jesus Christ to purify our consciences from unproductive deeds, allowing us to serve Him with sincerity and without regret. This means He not only secured forgiveness for past transgressions but also empowered people to lead righteous lives moving forward.
Imagine each of us as a ship burdened with the heavy weight of sin, anchored in place by our conscience. Christ’s sacrifice did more than remove this burden; it liberated us from the anchor of our conscience. While external rituals failed, Jesus transformed us internally. Our conscience is now cleansed from the stains of sin and selfishness, undergoing a profound inner change. God has freed our conscience from the constant reminder of our failures.
The actions of the Lord Jesus Christ reconcile us with God and enable us to maintain that relationship. The cross reveals God’s love, dispelling our fear of Him, while Christ’s presence empowers us to achieve daily victories over sin.
Psalms 32 illustrates David’s raw confession before God, acknowledging his sin with Bathsheba and its collateral damage. His choice to confess instead of hiding his wrongdoing came after encountering the prophet Nathan.
Sin disrupts our relationship with God. Without repentance, unconfessed sin hinders us from experiencing His goodness and the joy of His presence.
If you feel disheartened by recurring sins, turn to God in prayer. Seek His forgiveness and embrace His mercy. He loves you and desires to restore your relationship (Stanley).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 8-17-2
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 