“When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; My energy (vitality, strength) was drained away as with the burning heat of summer. Selah.” Psalms 32:3-4
The Psalmist David penned these words when he tried to hide his sin with Bathsheba. At the time when he should’ve been out fighting alongside his men, he decided to stay home. What he did was uncommon for kings, they were the commanders, their men drew courage and strength from them. By staying home, he allowed himself to be set up. You do know what they say about idle hands being the devil’s workshop? Go read all about it in EXTRA, I mean 2 Kings 11 I’ll start reading for you to make my point. In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.....continue reading 😊
Now that you’ve read the account you can understand Psalm 32. He tried to hide the adultery by murdering an innocent man. But this I do know about God, He knows how to chasten His children. I don’t know about you, but unconfessed sin doesn’t work for me. The more you try to cover or hide it the worse it gets. No peace, no joy to be found. Especially if you’re connected to Jesus. I’m not talking of acquaintanceship, I’m speaking to having a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. It will literally make you feel like your bones are broken. So I understand fully what David is conveying here.
Confession is the only cure. Confession to the person you wronged and to God. Jesus Himself said if you have come to the altar with a gift, and while there remember that things aren’t right between you and another, leave the gift and go make things right. That’s the only way to be accepted by Him. So what are you or have you been hiding? Let’s continue with David’s confession in the same chapter:
“I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my wickedness; I said, “I will confess [all] my transgressions to the LORD ”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:5
Step one: Acknowledge - accept and admit your sin. That’s true for our salvation and it’s true for reconciliation with the offended. In David’s case he murdered the man instead of owning up to what he had done. He was king, he would’ve lost face, but pride got in the way. Pride in reverse masquerades as fear. I can’t let anyone know what I did or they won’t———-fill in the blank. I just did a message on King Saul that I haven’t posted yet, he had a similar issue, pride in reverse. Whenever we cover what we need to confess it only leads to tormenting of soul and spirit. I keep telling you that the Bible has all the answers. He did confess, but only after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan. Caution: Don’t wait that long, it will only get worse.
There are some sins that you will receive forgiveness for and you can move on. There are others that carry lifetime consequences. The murder of Uriah wrecked David’s family. Hell literally broke out. You may be forgiven but the residue and consequences live on. Not only did God pronounce the judgment He also watched over His covenant promise to David. God will never allow our sin to override His plans. If He has to use someone else to accomplish it He will. David’s heart’s desire was to build God’s temple, but God told him he couldn’t. Why? The innocent blood of Uriah. So what are you hiding?
One of the things I’ve worked at doing is being open and honest with my daughter. It didn’t matter how painful or shameful the situation I would tell her when it was age appropriate. I have apologized for, and acknowledged anything that would hamper her growth, walk and life experiences with God. I learned by observing David, that if you don’t deal with underlying sin in your life with your children, they will repeat your indiscretions. I was determined that my daughter would lead a different life as it pertained to my past. I was also even more determined that she would live a better life as I demonstrated that a life lived souled out to Jesus was indeed the best life. God has honored me on all fronts. Confession is key. David was a man after God’s heart, but he was a lousy father. I have no proof biblically, but I’m convinced Solomon was influenced in some ways by his mother. If you study the lives of David’s other children, you may be inclined to agree with me. He honored his mother in Proverbs 31.
So what are you hiding? Break the cycle by acknowledging to God, your children or anyone you’ve wronged. God will forgive and restore. Don’t allow pride in reverse to hamper your obedience. Shame the devil! Whenever we hide sin we’re elevating Satan. That’s how he gets his worship. We are better than that. God has promised and stands ready to forgive. Yes, there may be some things we can never undo, but we can move forward through acknowledging where we fell short. Listen to how God responded to David’s confession in our text:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. Do not be like the horse or like the mule which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bridle and rein to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in and relies on the LORD shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness.”
Psalms 32:8-10 AMP
And David’s response after being forgiven:
“Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, favored by God] is he whose transgression is forgiven, And whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute wickedness, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
Psalms 32:1-2 AMP
“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous [who actively seek right standing with Him]; Shout for joy, all you upright in heart.”
Psalms 32:11 AMP
Yes my friends! Rejoicing returns when your conscience has been cleared out. Your heart will sing again when there’s nothing between your soul and Savior. Joy flows freely when the heart is light. So what are you hiding? Come out from the shadows of shame and fear, which is only pride in reverse. Be free from the yoke of unconfessed sin. Don’t wait for a Nathan, run to the ONE who makes all things new. No one knows this better than David and Paul the apostle. Paul wrote these words in Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].” Romans 8:1 AMP
Do you hear that?! Say it over and over until it resonates in your spirit. You’re FREE from the guilt of your past. Why? Because you have acknowledged and confessed them. Satan can’t harass you with what has already been exposed, he can only torment you with what is hidden. No secrets, you’re better than your past because of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!!!
Wonderful Jesus! I hide in You. I stand before you naked, yet unashamed. I embrace Your covering both inside and out. Your blood has cleansed me,Your robe of righteousness clothes me, granting me access to my Father’s presence. I’m free! No longer a slave to my past. You have given me a glorious future, a future undeserved but received by faith because of Your great love for me. A thousand words cannot adequately express my gratitude. I offer You my life fresh and new today, have Your way in me. Amen
“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].”
Philippians 1:6 AMP
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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