May 8, 2013 (2 Samuel 15-16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Psalm 32:5 NLT
Observation: David had committed sin against God and others. He stole another man’s wife and then had the innocent man killed in an effort to cover up and hide his sin. David was like a snowball rolling down a mountain and an avalanche was about to take place. Thankfully when David was confronted with his sin, he confessed it. He confessed all his sin to God and admitted his guilt. The fact that he stopped trying to hide his guilt proves he repented. Up until this point David told lie after lie and committed action after action trying to justify and hide his rebellion. Yet once he confessed and repented the act was over. He came clean, repented and was forgiven. Yet there were very costly consequences that he suffered on account of his sin, in spite of the forgiveness he received.
Application: Real tears of sorrow and regret often fall on altars’ each Sunday, yet few find the courage to confess their sins and repent as David did. Too many times the guilty are simply continuing their act of rebellion in spite of being at an altar praying. To confess our sins is more than saying, “I’m sorry”. To repent is more than simple profession. To confess our sins is to agree with God and acknowledge He is right to declare us guilty. To repent means to turn from sin and forsake it completely. When we truly confess and repent we openly proclaim to the world our intention of forsaking that sin in order to follow God faithfully and obediently. We deserve justice, yet when we confess and repent God gives us grace instead. He forgives us and takes away the guilt.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for accepting my confession and repentance. Thank You for the grace You give to sustain me to endure the consequences of my sin. Lord, I am guilty, but You have pardoned. I deserved justice, but You had mercy and gave me grace instead. Thank You, in Jesus name, Amen!