“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3-4).
The heading of this psalm of David doesn’t identify the specific sin in his life that was causing him such intense anguish. The incident with Bathsheba quickly comes to mind, but we have no way of knowing for sure. Whatever it was, as long as he remained unrepentant, it tormented him emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It was only when he acknowledged his sin before God that forgiveness and healing was found (v. 5). The relief David felt was something he couldn’t keep to himself. This is something everyone needs to hear! He encourages everyone to turn to God and enjoy the blessings he enjoyed through confessing his sin (vv. 6-7)
“Confession is good for the soul.” Most sources attribute this expression to an old Scottish proverb from the 1800’s. But David learned this truth long before the 19th century. Acknowledging our sins before God and others is vital to a life of faith. “Then Jerusalem was going out to him (John, the forerunner of Christ), and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan; and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6). “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).
Confession truly is good for the soul. Remember: “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion” (Proverbs 28:13).
God loves you!
Mike
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