Repentance III: Confession and Protection ...

Thursday, Sept 11, 2014. The biblical psalms have two or three main themes when it comes to repentence and sin. These themes are extremely exciting. They are astonishing. And they are reaching deep into our life and our soul.

Experiences and Confessions …

The first theme which comes again and again in the psalms is that you cannot hide your sin in the long run. As humans we tend to have some facade. We tend to play some game, pretending to be someone, pretending to have a particular character. But often we are not what we pretend to be. We are not as pure, or as strong, or as wise, or as beautiful. We are not as naive, or as bright, or as rich, or as popular as we pretend to be.

David in the psalms comes to the conclusion that a lot of his suffering is linked to his effort to try to hide his sin. He has been playing a game, and as long as he is not honest with himself, with God and with others, there is no way to make progress with the Lord. For day and night his hand was heavy with him! Sins need to be confessed. But to reach this confessions, you have to discover your sins first of all. You need to open your eyes for what is inside of you. No way around this!

Then, forgiveness is coming as a third step. It is a step after confession. God wants to forgive. He wants to be with you. He has already done all what is needed - in Christ Jesus. He showed his love, he paid for your sins, it is all well set. But he needs your confession - and you need your confession, to enter his forgiveness. Let us read on, how this is described in the second psalm of repentance.

Psalm 32 …

1 A Song of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up2 as by the heat of summer. 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32)

The second part of the Psalm moves from confession to the experience of the protection and love of God. The psalm here presents the difficulties in its first part, then the recognition and confession of sin, forgiveness and on the other side of this transition love, protection and joy.

The promises which are made in the last part of the psalm are quite far reaching. They are presented as something which is sure, which is without doubt. But these things come after God has been found at his time. They come after a time of suffering. But then, when we reach the Lord, steadfast love is there, surrounding us. Gladness and joy are described here, for those upright in heart! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts