May 9th~Forgiven

Psalms 27-32

We covered six psalms, four of which are songs of thanksgiving for David’s safety in the midst of his enemies. Psalm 29 is a song of praise, ascribing honor to the Lord for His glory and strength. However, Psalm 32 is a standout in my mind, a psalm of praise for God’s forgiveness, a psalm that every believer should read regularly.

We are not told exactly what specific event David had in mind when he wrote Psalm 32, but it is hard not to think of his adultery with Bathsheba and his subsequent deception and destruction of Uriah her husband. Until Nathan the prophet confronted the King with his sins, David might have thought that he was above the law, that he had gotten away with murder, that he would escape the eye and judgment of God; but, once Nathan revealed his treachery as evil before the Lord, David felt the weight of his sins like at no other time in his life.

David described his struggle with the heavy guilt of his actions, “When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat” (v.3, 4). Unconfessed sins agitate our conscience, distract our minds, and gnaw at our souls. They mount up pressure and squeeze the joy out of us, plunging us into depression and death.

However, the weight of wrongdoing is not meant for our destruction but for our conviction. It is the Holy Spirit convincing us of our errors, our coming short of the glory of God. That conviction is meant to lead us to repentance and, ultimately, to forgiveness and freedom. Paul wrote, “The sorrow that is of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation...” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

When David finally confessed and repented of his sins, he described immeasurable joy and freedom, for all his guilt was gone! “Oh what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin” (v.1).

Daily Reflection

Have you experienced the joy of forgiveness, a release from the weight of guilt and shame? Describe it here.

How often should you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness for wrongdoing?

Perhaps you are struggling with unconfessed sin. You are sensing the Spirit’s conviction but your pride has refused to give in. Listen to David, “Let all the godly confess their rebellion to God while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment” (v.6). Satan would have you crushed by your guilt and shame. The Lord would have you set free! Let Him restore your joy today — confess, repent, and be forgiven!

BiAY.org | Day 129 — 236 Days to Go