Text: Psalm 32:1-7
The Lenten season can be long. It can be heavy and somber and crushing even, if we let it be so. But, as we fast and draw near to the Lord, we can also lay our whole selves down in confession before Him, in an act of intimacy and a rejection of shame.
Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt hopeless? When you felt utterly wrong and dirty and ashamed? Did you keep quiet because somewhere deep inside you heard a voice whisper that this secret would ruin you?
In Psalm 32, verse 3 we can almost hear the cry.
“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.”
When we keep our sin to ourselves, we can become buried under the weight. We can dig a hole for ourselves so deep that we barely see the Light. But, when we push away the shame and we steady ourselves on the Rock that we know to be hope—we can be in right relationship with Him.
When we confess, turning away from our sin and towards God, we must also fast from shame. What God has pardoned, let Satan not re-condemn.
In Galatians 5, Paul reminds us that it is for freedom that Christ set us free. He begs us not to be yoked again to slavery. Before we believed the Good News, we were tethered to sin. Paul is asking us not to be chained to sin any more, but to walk in the freedom God has pardoned us for.
So, dear one, Christ has already broken the bond between sin and your heart. He has declared you free and clear, pardoned by the Highest King. Do not let you shame chain you again to your past sins. Be intimately bonded to Christ instead, the Hope of Glory.
I think this has been my favorite devotional so far of this Lenten season. First off, the Psalm reading is such a great reminder of how important it is to TALK to God and to especially ask for forgiveness. __I feel guilty if I don't confess my sins. Jesus died on the cross so our sins could be forgiven!!!! If we aren't asking for forgiveness, what was that for?! It's so important. Not to mention, I feel closer to God every single time I know that he has forgiven me of my Earthly sins…and that's an amazing feeling. What a great reminder that we are so, so blessed and loved unconditionally.
I love SheReadsTruth! I really like to print the page……which sometimes are 'pages'…….so that I may underscore pertinent thoughts, and also, write a prayer at the bottom of the page. However, the (beautiful) pictures that are posted with the daily devotional take A LOT of ink! Is there a ' printer-friendly' version anywhere, or can you tell me how to do that……understanding that I'm not very 'tech savvy'.
I have really been blessed by SheReadsTruth, and was thrilled to see a familiar face…..(Nancy, I recognize you from GriefShare.)
Blessings to you all.
I woke this morning, hiding from God, ashamed of my actions less than 24 hours before. I wonder how you knew that I would need to hear and pray the words of Psalm 32:1-7. I didnt know – I am not sure I have ever read it. But each verse was written out – spoken to me as if by God – and responded to with the cries of my heart. For the first time ladies, I stained the pages of my bible with tears. I heard God calling to me "Janee, where are you?" I approached Him with my head hung low, and confessed the sin that was separating us from one another. He graciously lifted my head, said there was nothing to be ashamed of, and tossed the reminders of my sin as far as the east is from the west. We walked in the cool of the day, hand in hand, and with each step, He stitched the thread of hope into the frayed edges of my heart.
Ladies, I can't begin to tell you how extremely intimate this moment was. I dont know what the day would have looked like, had I not decided to do my devotion and land on this specific scripture. Thank you She Reads Truth Sisters for your obedience to God for your dedication to us all. His timing is always perfect – literally.
Hiding. That's something I'm writing about currently. You are a hiding place for me, you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance! …..cue the ugly cry…..
The KJV really sets this up well, Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.
Can you imagine it?
Instead of hiding in the garden, instead of God asking "where are you adam?" Instead of shame. Instead of hearing the lies of the accuser of the brethren (sisterhood) He surrounds you, this means in the Hebrew, He is walking around you surrounding you constantly, it's a never ending act, with songs (or a ringing cry, a shout for joy) of deliverance.
God is constantly surrounding you, covering you with grace, while shouting out You Are Delivered! If that doesn't make you believe in your freedom I don't know what does!
It reminds me of that song… I'm Trading My Sorrows.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXi5iq1zAl4
"What GOD has pardon let Satan not re-condem" how awesome is that! Words I must say every day and remind myself the enemy tries to take over my joy and makes me believe I'm not worthy to be happy because of my past sin. Guilt and shame is huge I've learned that I have to forgive myself as well. I want to fast from shame! So I can enjoy what the Lord has Blessed me with and not let the enemy take over my thoughts and my present relationship.
FORGIVENESS BRINGS TRUE JOY. ONLY WHEN WE ASK GOD TO FORGIVE OUR SINS WILL ,HE GIVE US REAL HAPPINESS AND RELIEF FROM GUILT. FREE AT LAST FREE AT LAST . THANK GOD ALMIGHTY IM FREEEEE AT LAST.
Very powerful words, what God has pardoned, let not satan re-condemned. Im a firm.believer who embraces my freedom but there are times.when the enemy comes in and try to play with our minds but the Lord rises up a standard that He cannot bare so even in those times God is still faithful. Its our duty to stand for Him and let the enemy knows that He lost it all when Christ said "It is finish". Count it all joy when you fall.into temptations for there is already a way of escape. I love this group and God is in our midst. Glory to the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit.
“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.”
When we keep our sin to ourselves, we can become buried under the weight. We can dig a hole for ourselves so deep that we barely see the Light. But, when we push away the shame and we steady ourselves on the Rock that we know to be hope—we can be in right relationship with Him.
What God has pardoned, let Satan not re-condemn.
For lent, I have given up a relationship that had become inappropriate.
Very difficult but I know that God will..IS…honoring the decision.
Be blessed sisters!