Day 158

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Ask God for Forgiveness and be Free!

Scripture

June 6—Psalms 31-36: Forgiven and Forgiving

Observation

A proper perspective can help us face even the darkest of circumstances. The book of Psalms was not written in a vacuum. Rather it was composed by godly Old Testament characters who wrestled with the same daily struggles we face: fear, guilt, loneliness, anxiety, frustration. In God's strength, they discovered we can move from pity to praise (31, 32) and from the cave to the mountaintop (33, 34). Even in cases of horrific hate, you can respond with unconditional love (35, 36) when the Lord is our light and salvation.

Application

"Confession," the saying goes, "is good for the soul." More than that, confession is good for the entire person: body, soul, and spirit.

In Psalm 32, David describes the deep joy of a person who has experienced true forgiveness (v. 1-2). Next, he lists some very real physical and emotional symptoms of harboring unconfessed sin (v. 3-4). The psalmist pens a powerful prescription in verse 5: Confess your sins to the Lord! Uncover and expose your sin for what it is. Agree with God that it is in your life and doesn't belong there. Then receive God's forgiveness that washes your life like a cool, refreshing rain. What restoration awaits the repentant sinner (v. 6-7)! Don't wait until you are forced to submit to God, counsels David, but willingly seek his mercies (v. 8-11).

Let us tape the words Forgiven and Forgiving to the face of a clock we glance at often. Let each check of the time remind us that because God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus, it's always the right time to forgive others (Ephesians 4:32).

Prayer

Dear Lord, we want to thank you and praise you for hanging on that old rugged cross to save us from our sins and for the mercy and grace you show us each day.  Thank you for teaching us through your Word to forgive. Like we are forgiven we must forgive others who have wronged us and we do this in your mighty name, Jesus! Amen!

Praise His Holy and Mighty Name!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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