Repenter

Psalms 32 is a psalm of David’s heartfelt cry to God, and generations upon generations after the psalm was written we can receive insight into repentance by reviewing David’s words.  In verses 1 and 2, David begins building hope by introducing a blessed condition: the wondrous blessing a person has when their sin is forgiven, when “the Lord counts no iniquity”. This state of forgiveness must be achievable.  But how?

The destructive nature of sin is expressed in verse 3 where David explains how he wasted away from the inside when he did not voice his repentance.  Sin kept within, unrepentant and unforgiven, literally does damage to the sinner. Bones waste away, rebellion destroys relationship and strength is crushed out of the sinner as joy leaves to be replaced by bitterness.  

In verse 6 David admonishes all believers to “offer prayers to you [God] at a time when you may be found”.  All who have sinned, all who have transgressed against God have a time of grace when they may repent simply by confessing their transgression to God.  It is such a simple way. It seems too simple. But don’t be deceived, that is exactly how it is done. A sinner is forgiven by calling on the name of the Lord, in honest and true repentance.  

For His part, God waits and listens.  While He may still be found, before unrepentant sin in a person has left them unwilling to acknowledge their need for God, He remains listening for the call of the repentant sinner.  He yearns to hear the voice of one calling out to Him, a person seeking forgiveness and right relationship with their Father in Heaven. When the cry is made, God, in His merciful grace, forgives the iniquity of sin.  The destruction of sin is stopped and the life of the repentant one is renewed to experience freedom from guilt and shame.

David understood the principle of forgiveness.  In a time when there was no perfect sacrifice, when God had not provided the complete solution to the problem of sin, David understood that God desired to forgive.  He knew that the Lord listened for his call, and when He heard David’s repentance, God forgave. How much more should we understand forgiveness now that we have a Great High Priest, a Mediator who is Christ the Lord?  How much more should we understand that forgiveness is ours for the asking, by simple words from simple, heartfelt repentance. God awaits the sinner. He looks for those who are soiled in iniquity. He waits to wipe clean the heart that has toiled in sin but looks to Him for their salvation.  

I encourage you today!  If you find yourself helplessly burdened with sin, if you feel lost to a solution for the great weight that is crushing your heart and draining the life from your spirit, if you feel you can no longer hope for a life free from shame and regret, cry out to God.  By His grace become dead to iniquity and alive to the One who truly loves you. Be a repenter.

Psalms 32