Today's Scripture
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the heat.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD."
Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Psalm 32:1-7 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Today's Scripture is much more lengthy than usual, but it expresses so beautifully many of the issues we've addressed this week: the despair that comes with hiding our sin from God … and the great freedom when we finally stop trying to hide our guilt, confess it to the Lord and receive his loving forgiveness.
Even though painful feelings are unpleasant to experience, facing them honestly and dealing with their cause is essential. If we want to be the person God has called us to be … if we want to stop hurting others and ourselves … if we want to experience freedom and peace in our lives … then we must face the truth and ask God for his forgiveness and his help.
Consider this …
Jesus understands the damage that can be done when unpleasant feelings that come as a result of our sins are ignored and pushed below the surface. He encourages us to approach him like a little child—quick to trust and willing to share our feelings.
Is there sin in your life that you've been hiding—maybe even from yourself? God loves you and is waiting for you to come to him. He is your loving father. Come to him as the psalmist did. Then you can join the psalmist in rejoicing: "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone."
Father, I confess my rebellion and my sin. Forgive me for trying to hide it for so long. Thank you for your unconditional love, for your forgiveness and for the peace that only you can give. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Living Free by Jimmy Ray Lee, D. Min. and Dan Strickland, M. Div. This updated version is presented in two parts. It offers information for anyone who either has a life-controlling problem or has a loved one with a life-controlling problem:
Part 1: Learning to Live Free
- Defining Life-Controlling Problems
- Mastered and Trapped by Issues
- Walls of Protection
- Family Influences
- Helping or Harming?
Part 2: Helping Others to Live Free through Small Groups
- The Small Group Strategy
- Effective Facilitation and Communication
Launching a Living Free Ministry
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