To Encourage You

Psalm 32:1-2 “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.”

Do you want to hear some really good news today?  Then read the verses above and roll them over in your mind.  Sin, also known as “missing the mark,” rebellion against God, or disobedience, is such a destructive thing. In fact, its destructiveness is very difficult to overstate. Because of sin, death and everything associated with death, came upon all.  Sin is a bondage. Its work is insidious. It so often seems so delicious at first.  It has such an appeal. But in the end, it bites anyone who yields to its temptation and plagues the heart with guilt. 

Sin is a pervasive thing. We see it everywhere we look, be it in our own life, in the lives of others, or in the news we read and hear day after day.  It results in pain and regret.  It is the source of everything that is wrong with everything.  It is a burden that weighs a person down and is the root of fear, anxiety, and depression. 

That’s why a statement such as that made in Psalm 32 above is such a breath of life to anyone who takes it to heart.  It was written by David, a very great saint but also a very great sinner.  His sin with Bathsheba plagued his heart. He saw horrible consequences in his own life and the lives of those he loved – and it was all his fault.  Ultimately his sin, and our sin, is a sin against God.  It’s a rejection of the commands He’s given us for our own good. It’s a mockery of God’s Word and evidence that we think we know better than the omniscient One Whose ways are higher than our ways and Whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts as the heaven is above the earth.  And when our own foolishness dawns on us when we finally admit that our problems are because of us and not everyone else, the weight can crush us. The guilt and hopelessness can drive a person to despair. But then, the very God we’ve mocked and rejected in our selfishness and foolishness makes a way out. He sent His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners. He made a way for us to be forgiven of sin – ALL our sin.  He made a way to cover it – to remove it, and to make all things new. 

Surely blessed beyond words is the person who comes to realize this, believe it, and embrace it. Blessed beyond words is the one who stops hiding his sin, making excuses for it, and making efforts to justify it. Blessed is the one who brings his sin into the light of day, confesses it, and receives God’s awesome forgiveness for it.  There is nothing greater than this. There are no words that bring more hope than this.  It is the answer, the remedy, the joy of the Lord, and the peace that passes all understanding. 

Do you know this joy and peace?  Have you experienced it?  Do you think your sin is too great? Do you think you may be the one person on earth to whom these words don’t apply?  Well if you do, think again, for God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11).  If He forgave the murderous and adulterous sins of David, he’ll forgive your sins as well. If He forgave a terrorist like Paul who persecuted the church and Christ Himself, He’ll also forgive you. If He forgave me, He’ll forgive you. 

Some time ago, my wife reminded me of the words of a well-known hymn, words that came to her during a time of prayer. Those words are “The vilest offender who truly believes that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.” Think of it, forgiveness, peace, joy, and hope – the remedy for the guilt, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness that is the end result of sin.  It’s yours for the asking, at this very moment, if you will only confess your sin, repent, and believe.  Blessing in place of cursing: it’s available to anyone who will believe.