The Freedom of Forgiveness When God Is Our Hiding Place

Mar 23

Mar 23 The Freedom of Forgiveness When God Is Our Hiding Place

Devos and Studies, Psalms Devos_Studies, God's Word

The freedom of forgiveness

I don’t do well with guilt. Who does? But that’s a good thing. Feeling guilt for some wrong is how our conscience lets us know something is not right. Guilt is God’s motivation to seek Him to make things right.

Of course, not everyone handles guilt the same way. Some people justify whatever wrong they do by blaming someone or something else. It comes naturally for most of us. This is what we see the first humans do when sin first came into the world (Gen 3:9-13).

Other people try to ignore their guilt feelings. But this won’t make them go away. It simply suppresses them. When you do this, your guilt gets pushed down into your soul. This causes other problems for us.

Unresolved guilt will destroy us. It often results in both physical and psychological illnesses. We know anxiety and stress are factors in heart disease. But some illness is psychosomatic and may cause serious mental illness.

When guilt is unresolved, it hardens our hearts and dulls our consciences. This isolates us from others and God. King David knew the harsh prison unresolved guilt creates. But he also knew the key to unlocking the prison of guilt is forgiveness, and forgiveness brings freedom.

Scripture

A psalm by David; a maskil.
Blessed is the person whose disobedience is forgiven and whose sin is pardoned. Blessed is the person whom the Lord no longer accuses of sin and who has no deceitful thoughts.
When I kept silent ⌊about my sins⌋, my bones began to weaken because of my groaning all day long. Day and night your hand laid heavily on me. My strength shriveled in the summer heat. Selah [vss 1-4]
I made my sins known to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I decided to confess them to you, O Lord. Then you forgave all my sins. Selah
For this reason let all godly people pray to you when you may be found. Then raging floodwater will not reach them. You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyous songs of salvation. Selah [vss 5-7]
⌊The Lord says,⌋ “I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. Don’t be stubborn like a horse or mule. ⌊They need⌋ a bit and bridle in their mouth to restrain them, or they will not come near you.”
Many heartaches await wicked people, but mercy surrounds those who trust the Lord. Be glad and find joy in the Lord, you righteous people. Sing with joy, all whose motives are decent. [vss 8-11]
(Psalm 32:1-11 GW) [Context– Psalm 32]

Reflections and Insights

Forgiveness is an act of mercy, not judgment. This alone makes it difficult for many of us to extend it to others. It is the opposite of our natural impulse to want justice or even revenge.

Forgiveness extends kindness that can never be repaid or deserved. Genuine forgiveness is the removal of an offense, sin, or wrongdoing by someone who has the authority and right to grant it. A person doesn’t deserve forgiveness, it’s a gift.

No one can go around pronouncing forgiveness to people unless they have the right or authority to do so. With a legal conviction for a crime, only someone such as a judge or governor can release a person from their sentence. They pardon a person for their crime.

When a person is pardoned, the penalty for their wrong is removed. It means they won’t suffer the full consequence of their wrongdoing. We can forgive those who harm or offend us. But we can’t extend some type of general forgiveness for all people.

God alone is righteous enough to forgive and pardon people, and it is His nature to extend mercy to those who trust in Him.

Sin is an act or state of rebellion towards God. One person’s sin may affect many people and those people can extend their personal forgiveness, but only God can suspend the sentence of eternal death, which is the consequence of rebellion against God.

God’s forgiveness brings inner peace and freedom.

This is what David experienced after his grievous sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. When he confessed his sin and cried out for mercy, the Lord forgave him and restored him (see Psalm 51)

David experienced the freedom of forgiveness. Freedom from guilt and judgment. Simply because he confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness. He spoke of God as his Hiding Place. A place of refuge, safety, and freedom.

If you want freedom from guilt, you can do the same. Anytime. Anywhere. Whoever you are.

Digging deeper to Make it personal...

Review the Scriptures above as you consider the following questions—

What is the benefit of the Lord's forgiveness and pardon of sin?
What was the result when David kept silent about his sin?
What brought God's forgiveness for David’s guilt?
How does David describe the Lord's protection and blessing in his life?
What are we exhorted to not do, and how can we be surrounded by mercy?
What is your experience with the Lord when you have admitted and confessed your sin to Him?
Can you relate to what David says about not being honest with God and confessing your sin?
When have you realized and known the Lord as your "hiding place"?
Do you make time each day to reconcile your heart with God—to ask forgiveness and restoration—before unconfessed sin breaks your heart and spirit?