Forgiven

March 9

Numbers 2

Psalm 32:1-7

Proverbs 7:18-20

Mark 10:13-31

Forgiven

“How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man whose iniquity Yahweh will not take into account, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!”  Psalm 32:1-2 LSB

The last couple of days we have looked at the destructive power of sin in our lives.  We have examined the costly nature of evil physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.  And we have seen how sin can diminish our influence and cause us to become ineffective in our witness to those around us.  Thankfully our God is loving and merciful and He never leaves us in the mess we’ve made.  He is at work convicting us and drawing us back to Himself.  He is waiting with open arms for us to come back.  Like the loving father of the prodigal son, He is watching at the window hoping to see us walking up the road so He can run to meet us.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  I John 1:9 LSB 

            In the passage above, you can sense the overwhelming exhale of relief in David’s words.  He had experienced the gut-wrenching turmoil in his spirit from his guilt and then after he confessed his sin and repented, he was experiencing the refreshing flood of forgiveness and restoration.  He still had to experience the consequences for his actions but the restoration of the relationship with his heavenly Father gave him the confidence that God would deal with him mercifully and would help him face the punishment.  Living in the web of lies and deceit creates fear and anxiety.  Confession and repentance bring peace and joy. 

            Psalm 103:10-12 clearly tells us, “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, and He has not rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”  (LSB)  After we have confessed and been forgiven, we can walk forward in confidence.  Satan will try to bring up the sin over and over to keep us defeated.  He does not want us to walk in freedom and enjoy fellowship with Jesus.  He will do everything he can to condemn and make us feel damaged and soiled.  Romans 8:1 assures us, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”  (LSB)  Do not entertain Satan’s accusations.  We have been freed from the bondage of sin!  We have been purified with the blood of Jesus and our sins are covered with His righteousness.  Draw close to Him and enjoy His purifying presence.  “You are my hiding place; You guard me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.”  Psalm 32:7 LSB