“David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin.'” 2 Samuel 12:13
“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-5
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28:13-14
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Concealing sin, pressing down to hardness the rebel attitude and unbridled affections, entangles us in the thorns and weeds of calamity: frustration, restlessness, harsh and hard hearts. Guilt, despondency, groaning of soul. Confession exposes the root, and opens the garden gate. God’s forgiveness ushers us through into all beauty and fragrance of a fruitful life, and grace addresses the briars’ sting and creeping, suffocating strangle.
Ah, keeping silent about our sin seems easier, for a while. We strangely think if we keep it hidden from sight it may go away- at least we wish this so, but to no avail. It saps, it drains, it weighs heavy, and begins to manifest itself in ugly outbursts and expressions. Anger, bitter words, deception, criticism, all darkness toward others and anything but exposure of ourselves. But our trying to conceal in the flesh brings drought to spiritual growth. It certainly is no match for the hiddenness of our sins in Christ.
When we respond to the conviction of the Spirit with ‘I have sinned against the Lord,’ we instantly open ourselves to healing light that floods in to apply mercy in every part. We leave at the cross all that we tried to cover up or ignore, all the waste that ensued, and hide under Jesus’s blood. Burdens are lifted, outlook changes, hope buds, and righteousness blossoms. What was too long covered up is instantly covered forever by Christ’s sacrifice, and we are free to flourish. (Colossians 3:3)
What keeps us from confessing our sins, and genuinely saying we are sorry? Pride, a hunger for vengeance, and fear too often upturn the way of pardon when “no condemnation” awaits. Do we offer open and ready forgiveness to those who have wronged us? In light of what our Savior suffered on our behalf, how will we act in kind? (Romans 8:1)
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.” ~Charles Wesley (1738)
Lord, may I apply the cross and resurrection in every offense and relationship, to the praise of Your glorious grace.
As the rain and snow 