1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Psalm 32
Key Verse: “Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’-and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5
The first step in the restoration of God is honesty. There can be no more cover-ups, excuses, or rationalizing. Healing comes after the revealing. David made a clear decision to confess all of his sins to the Lord. Do you ever get tired from trying to hide your rebellion and pretend as though everything is fine?
God responds to your humility is a positive way. Not only does God forgive your sins, but He also takes away your guilt. Will you allow God to take away your shame? Some people insist on being hard on themselves, even though God grants a pardon. Why extend punishment and suffering that God does not want you to have? Receive His grace today that covers your rebellion and your guilt.
Read more by Pastor Jesse Bradley in Traps – Time in the Psalms
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Jesse Bradley is passionate about helping people discover the grace of Jesus- both in practical and eternal ways. He serves as Senior Pastor of Sebastopol Christian Church in Northern California, with degrees from Dartmouth College and Dallas Theological Seminary. Once a professional goalkeeper in Scotland and Zimbabwe, God redirected him into ministry through a life-threatening illness. He is the author of Rooted In Grace and A New Season. Jesse and his wife, Laurie, have three children.
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