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| Archbishop Desmond Tutu |
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.
I acknowledged my sin unto You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions/ to the LORD,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah
Psalm 32:1,5 (NKJV)
These are the words of David. “Most scholars agree that Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 were responses to David’s sin with Bathsheba. “ (1)
What is David saying in these verses?
He is telling those who might read his writing that those who seek God’s forgiveness will receive blessings from the LORD.
In the second section (verse 5), David states that he confessed his sin to God. He did not hide that sin from the LORD. I have read that in order to be forgiven, we have to tell God what we did in order to acknowledge the severity of it and that we have learned that what we did was wrong.
We have all done things that, later, we realized were sinful and not what God expected of His children.
The good news in all of this is that God forgives us for our sins, when we confess them and ask His forgiveness.
We have a God who loves us, who has saved us from sin, and who forgives us when we do sin.
1. Jeremiah Study Bible, Study note, page 726
Wonderful message of hope and forgiveness! We need this reminder in our lives today. Oftentimes we tend to make the mistake of thinking that once I am saved, I don't need to be forgiven or confess any sins anymore. They are already forgiven. Well, that may be true, but it is also true that "pride goes before a fall", and sometimes we go around thinking "I'm okay, you're okay", and we never see little sins that are creeping up on us and drawing us away from a true peaceful life in our relationship with Christ, as well as with others. Sins of pride and sometimes a lack of forgiveness of others who may have offended us...little things that build up. That's why I love the Lent season as a time of reflection and introspection...kind of a 'spring cleaning' of my spiritual house. Thank you for this wonderful post. I hope you and your family are doing well and feeling better, and keeping WARM!! Take care my friend.
ReplyDeletePam: Thank you for these words.of discernment, I have heard of people saying those very words. There are those who say " You can do anything you want to; God will forgive you!" When we commit sin, God wants to hear from us because when He hears us admit that sin, He knows that we know we have done something He considers wrong. Peace and blessings to you and yours. I pray you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteFor all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks be to Jesus for dying for our sins!
Blessings, Cecelia!
Martha: I believe each serious believer should remember that each of us has sinned and need His forgiveness. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
DeleteI love that Desmond Tutu quote. He was quite a remarkable person. If he could forgive all the atrocities he saw, surely I can forgive the ones in my path. God sets the standard.
ReplyDeleteLisa: I had never heard that quote until I was searching for a graphic for this post. I think I will write it out and put it in the front of my study Bible.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
The greatest blessing of our lives is that the grace of God allows us to feel His forgiveness and abiding love!
ReplyDeleteCorrine: Thank you for your thoughtful comment. When I ask God to forgive me, I feel His presence and forgiveness. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
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