forgiveness - a gift from god
Forgiveness is a powerful gift from God. I have both extended forgiveness and needed it extended to me. My salvation required me to see a need to be forgiven for the deep rooted sin in my life. My confession and repentance resulted in overwhelming joy that flowed from the foot of the cross of Christ. Could there be a greater sense of joy than that which comes after being truly forgiven? Washed clean…made new…redeemed and forgiven. It cost the Lord Jesus His life. I don’t want to take it for granted. I want to remember anew the gift of forgiveness.
Psalm 32 speaks of the depth of joy that David felt in being forgiven. David reminds us that those who are forgiven are blessed. Do you know that? Do you know that being forgiven by the Lord is a blessing? I forget that from time to time. I have a tendency to minimize my own sin and have an expectation of forgiveness but that is a sin as well. My forgiveness came at a great cost to Christ. Sometimes I am reluctant to admit my sin and confess to Christ the sins causing me to struggle against righteousness. David reminds us that when we hold back that necessary confession we face consequences.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away- through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah.
Spurgeon in his commentary on this Psalm says that Selah pause is there to give us a chance to sit with the recognition that we need to think about and confront our own sin. We need to pause and consider our need for forgiveness and consider that there is only One who can grant it to us, Christ Jesus. And the good news is that when we do reflect and confess, God in His mercy hears us and forgives!
I acknowledged my sin to you and I did not cover up my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Another pause to let the relief of a burden released wash over us. We pause to breathe in the freedom found in the forgiveness of sin and the glory of redemption. Hallelujah, we are free!
God doesn’t just leave us to make the same mistakes over and over. David tells us that God will instruct us and teach us in the ways we should
go if we are not stubborn and proud. Part of forgiveness is examining our hearts and our actions and realigning our hearts to the Father so that maybe we don’t make the same mistake again.
David finishes the Psalm with some beautiful reminders that for those who are forgiven, we can experience the surrounding of the steadfast love of God. He commands us to be glad and rejoice with shouts of joy. We the redeemed have much to celebrate. Day by day we are renewed by a holy and righteous God. We can rejoice in knowing that we are forgiven and free. We can celebrate with the heavens and give glory to God for the many blessings we richly lavishes on us. Not the least of which is walking in forgiveness.
by Tracie Durham
Tracie Durham is a Body & Soul® Instructor in Central Arkansas. She is a home school momma to three amazing kiddos and wife to a fire chief. Tracie loves to think deeply about the things of Jesus and write and reflect on His Word. Her hope is that this post blesses you and brings honor and glory to God. 
