Grace and ForgivenessSample

The Heart Of Forgiveness

I love this verse because it gets to the heart of God’s forgiveness, of His grace and mercy, and of our relationship with Him. How much does He love us? We know John 3:16, but long before that verse, here is this little one in Psalm 32. The Psalmist knows that bringing sin before God and acknowledging it is the sure way to obtaining forgiveness. Then once we have told God about it and said we are truly sorry (repented), God forgives us. The challenge for us is to stop wallowing in old sin that we have already brought before God and sought forgiveness for. We are forgiven; we are free; the guilt is gone. Be released, and don’t ever believe Satan’s lie that we are not forgiven and that we have to do more to seek forgiveness.

The Bible has exploded that lie. Here it is in Psalm 32: "I confessed and God forgave. Thank you, Lord, that you hear me and forgive me when I come before you and do not cover up my sin."

And we respond with words of Isaiah 12:1–2:

"In that day you will say: ‘I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.’"

Written by DAVID BARKER