A Forgiving God – Psalm 32
How do you describe a feeling of guilt?
Guilt is a horrible feeling. You can deny it and blame someone else. You can ignore it and hope no one knows about it. Or you can try to forget it, but guilt just keeps hanging on and is a heavy burden to carry. Actually, no one else may know about it, or if they know, they may not be thinking about it—but that does not make the burden any lighter.
More importantly, have you experienced the wonderful results of receiving forgiveness? “Blessed [How happy] is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile” (vv. 1, 2). You may be able to hide guilt from others, but you will not be able to hide the joy that results from forgiveness—even if you wanted to do so! Other people may not know what has happened, but they will sense that something important has happened in your heart.
Take the first steps toward experiencing the joy of forgiveness: acknowledge and confess your sin. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee . . . I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (v. 5). This is such a simple thing to talk about, but one of the most difficult things in life to do.
Don’t put it off any longer! If you have feelings of guilt in your heart, do something about it. Acknowledge that you are wrong, confess it to the one(s) you have wronged, and ask for forgiveness. Great happiness is just around the corner, if you will trust the Lord and do as He has taught.
“He that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart” (vv. 10, 11).