August 18 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 100–102; 1 Corinthians 1

Our Guilt is Gone

I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

Psalm 32:5

READ Psalm 32

As a young girl, I invited a friend to browse with me through a gift shop near my home. She shocked me, though, by shoving a handful of colourful crayon-shaped barrettes into my pocket and yanking me out of the door of the shop without paying for them. Guilt gnawed at me for a week before I approached my mum—my confession pouring out as quickly as my tears.

Grieved over my bad choice of not resisting my friend, I returned the stolen items, apologised and vowed never to steal again. The owner told me never to come back. But because my mum forgave me and assured me that I had done my best to make things right, I slept peacefully that night.

King David also rested in forgiveness through confession (Psalm 32:1–2). He had hidden his sins against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11–12) until his “strength was sapped” (Psalm 32:3–4). But once David refused to “cover up” his wrongs, the Lord erased his guilt (v. 5). God protected him “from trouble” and wrapped him in “songs of deliverance” ( v. 7). David rejoiced because the “Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him” (v. 10).

We can’t choose the consequences of our sins or control people’s responses when we confess and seek forgiveness. But the Lord can empower us to enjoy freedom from the bondage of sin and peace through confession, as He confirms that our guilt is gone—forever.

By Xochitl Dixon

What do you need to confess to God today? How does trusting in His forgiveness replace your guilt with His peace?

Loving God, when I confess my sins and receive Your forgiveness, please help me to believe my guilt is completely and forever wiped away.

To learn more about the importance of forgiveness, visit ODBU.org/SF107

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

Psalm 32 is one of seven penitential psalms (also Psalms 6; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143), so-named because they contain confession of sins and a plea for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Many scholars believe David wrote Psalm 32 after he committed adultery with Bathsheba. For about a year afterward, he refused to repent of his sins of covetousness, adultery, deceit, bearing false testimony, and murder. Then the prophet Nathan confronted him ( 2 Samuel 11–12).

In Psalm 32 David speaks of the heavy burden of guilt he experienced when he denied his sins (vv. 3–4) and the joy of receiving God’s forgiveness when he confessed and repented (v. 5) and became receptive to God’s rule in his life (vv. 7–11). David contrasts the blessedness of repentance (vv. 1–2 ) with the anguish of refusing to confess his sin (vv. 3–5).