Notes of Faith June 11, 2024

Notes of Faith June 11, 2024

Unburden Your Soul

When I kept silent [about my sin], my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. Psalm 32:3

We know the story of King David’s great sins of adultery with Bathsheba and accessory to her husband’s murder (2 Samuel 11–12). What is often overlooked is that David kept silent about these sins for nearly a year before confessing. That is, David and Bathsheba’s son had been born before David was confronted by Nathan the prophet about his sin.

Ps 38:1-4

38 O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

or discipline me in your wrath.

2 For your arrows have pierced me,

and your hand has come down upon me.

3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;

my bones have no soundness because of my sin.

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me

like a burden too heavy to bear.

Psalm 51 is the great penitential psalm David wrote in the wake of that tragedy. But David wrote another psalm detailing the destructive consequences of living with unconfessed sin: Psalm 32. We don’t know if Psalm 32 was connected in any way with David’s failure. But whatever the occasion, Psalm 32 serves as a warning to those who have sinned: Don’t be like a stubborn animal who must be compelled to action (verse 9). Rather, let God’s mercy draw you to Him who is ready and willing to forgive: “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (verse 5).

Instead of living with guilt and shame, unburden your soul to God: “Rejoice...and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (verse 11)

The beginning of repentance is the confession of guilt.

John Calvin

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

The Lord is patient. He desires all of us to repent of our sin against Him, be forgiven and saved from the consequences of our sin. May we all, this day, stop, and repent of our sin, turn to God, and follow Him in the righteousness of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Dale