How to experience the freedom you long for

Have you ever looked at someone at church and asked, “How can I be as happy as they are?” How can I experience that kind of freedom?

The answer is simple: through confession and repentance. 

King David wrote Psalm 51 after committing adultery with a woman named Bathsheba and murdering her husband to cover it up (2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12:1-23). David was haunted by his actions, and in Psalm 51:1, David asks God to have mercy on him. 

David confesses his sins and acknowledges that he has sinned against God (Psalm 51:2-4). David humbled his heart before God with painful honesty. He gave his sins to the Lord, trusting and believing that God would forgive him. 

It’s good to ask each other for forgiveness when we mess up, but only the Lord can remove the guilt that weighs us down. When we come to God with a broken and repentant heart like David did, He frees us from the weight of our sin, renews our spirit, and fills us with joy (Psalm 51:10-13). 

The people who experience the most freedom in life are those who have received the most forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to freedom, which allows us to experience joy — even in life’s hardest circumstances. 

And as the joy of our salvation affects other areas of our lives, it becomes noticeable to our peers who will look at us and ask, “How can I be as happy as they are?”

Reflect: 

• When was the last time your own sin made you uncomfortable? How did you respond to that feeling?
• Is there any area of your life where you need forgiveness today? If so, would you take a few minutes to pray and confess your sins to God like David did? 
• What is Jesus showing you through this passage? Is there any area of your life where maybe you’ve asked others for forgiveness but never ask God for forgiveness?