Most Biblical scholars agree that Psalm 32 was written by David after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan over the sin he had committed with Bathsheba. When reading David’s words, you can feel how his heart aches with the pain of his sin, and in turn his joy and thankfulness at the forgiving nature of God.
We all wrestle with sin. We are born sinners who need to be reconciled to our perfect and holy Creator. God loves us so much, that He paid for our sin Himself. Jesus, through His death on the cross, became the perfect sacrifice and atonement. It is because of Him that we can receive forgiveness, and the gift of fellowship with God. “All these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5:18). God took Christ’s perfect righteousness and put it on us so that we could experience the joy and freedom that comes with knowing our sins have been forgotten and the slate wiped clean! “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”, (v.1).
Many Christians struggle with forgiveness. We understand the concept in our heads, but fail to receive it in our hearts. Often times we are far more willing to extend forgiveness to others then we are to ourselves. We needlessly carry around the burden of guilt, shame, and pain. We wonder how God can forgive us when we fail him daily. But those feelings and thoughts are lies from Satan who wants nothing more then to keep us from experiencing victory and God’s sweet presence in our lives.
So how can we find the joy that comes with God’s forgiveness? 1 John 1:9 tells us that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Admitting when we’re wrong is never easy. Pride and hurt often get in the way when it comes to confessing the truth to ourselves and to God. But when we don’t, sin festers in our hearts, leaving us filled with guilt; feeling weak, miserable and isolated from the Lord. Like David said, “When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away.“, (v. 3).
Talk to God. Draw near to Him. Tell Him what you’ve done, and trust in Him to forgive and restore you. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’, and You forgave the guilt of my sin.”, (v. 5). Don’t get discouraged. When you stumble, know that God is always faithful to forgive. He knows we are weak, and as such extends to us His grace and mercy. And when we confess and repent of our sins, God promises to remove our sin from us as far as the “east is from the west.” (Ps. 103:12). So today won’t you choose forgiveness both for yourself and others and, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice!” (v. 11)