The Miracle Of Forgiveness
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Acts 21:27-40; 22:1-21 and Psalm 32:1-11 (NIV)
(Wee Yeun Ling, from Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Psalm 32 (ESV)
Verse 11 especially stood out to me: “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
OBSERVE AND APPLY:
Verse 11 is a joyous declaration of the Lord’s righteousness. As a Christian, I desire this joyous attitude of gladness, joy and righteousness. This verse is preceded by verses confessing sin (v5) and acknowledging its heavy burden (v3-4).
The psalmist David calls readers to confess their sins. I too need to lay down my pride and stubbornness and change my ways before the Lord (v9). But the mere act of confessing sin is insufficient to wipe away my sins before the Lord. The miracle of forgiveness lies in God alone who is ready to forgive the iniquity of my sin (v5). This is the miracle of forgiveness: not only does God no longer hold my iniquity against me (v2), He becomes my hiding place: He preserves me from trouble and surrounds me with shouts of deliverance (v7). The process of my confession of sin and God’s forgiveness is not an impersonal act of settling accounts. The Lord’s forgiveness is a personal act of His boundless and steadfast love towards me (v10). It reminds me of Romans 5:8 (ESV) which states that “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
DO:
I will:
- Remember that I am confessing my sin before a personal and loving God. Therefore, I will be quick to confess sin and not remain silent with the burden of my sin.
- Remain in the Lord’s presence, not in sin: He is my hiding place and preserves me from further troubles that I may get myself into if I remain in sin.
- Listen to the Lord and read His word as He will instruct and teach me in the way I should go.
- Rejoice in the Lord, because of His steadfast love.
PRAY:
Lord, I thank You for Your love and Your readiness to forgive me of my sins. Let me not take the confession of sins for granted. Help me to quickly come to You to acknowledge my sinful ways. Help me to listen to Your instructions and to walk in Your righteous path. You declare deliverance of sin upon me. As I walk in Your ways, I can proclaim that I am glad in the Lord and shout for joy. Praise to the Lord! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
