How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the LORD does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2)
David was called as a man after God’s own heart but it did not mean he was perfect. While the Scriptures chronicle the highs of his life such as defeating Goliath and succeeding Saul as king, we also read in the book of 2 Samuel about David’s adultery with Bathsheba and arranging Uriah’s death on the battlefield.
Today’s reading doesn’t mention whether David wrote this psalm after he committed these sins. It does however reveal that David had strong convictions regarding a sin he was struggling with (32:3-4) and that he came to God to confess (32:5). The end result? God forgives David of the guilt from his sin and David experiences the joy of forgiveness (32:1).
This mirrors what the apostle John writes in his first epistle: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Both of these passages reveal that we can use prayer as a time of confession and reconciliation with God.
The Christian life is one of continuous repentance. Although the penalty for all our sins: past, present, and future have been paid for by Christ, we will still struggle with sin. The reformer Martin Luther famously described the Christian as simultaneously saint and sinner.
You should not despair even if there is a particular sin that you have been consistently struggling with. You may feel at times that you are the most mediocre Christian in existence. But it is important to remember that if you are truly a Christian, that you do not have to earn God’s favor. All the work has already been done for us!
It is through Christ’s crucification and resurrection we are declared righteous in the Father’s sight. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit who enables us to put off our old self and guide us in sanctification.
If you are reading this as a believer, do you sometimes feel when you are struggling with sin that you reached the final straw with God? That you ran out of the supply of grace God has for you? Or if you are person exploring the claims of Christianity that this joy of forgiveness seems too good to be true? You may be thinking “There must be some sort of catch.”
Two of the biggest lies Satan can plant in your head is that: 1. you’re too much of a mess to be forgiven and 2. God’s grace can run out. But in his Word, God has the following promises for you:
- His children cannot be snatched away (John 10:28)
- God will never leave or abandon his children (Hebrews 10:5)
- God’s love for us is so great that is surpasses our own knowledge(Ephesians 3:18-19)
A man with leprosy asked Jesus “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus responded “I am willing.” and healed him (Matthew 8:1-3) In the same way you can trust him that he will do the same for you spiritually. You too can experience the joy of forgiveness.