DEVOTION – DAY 321

Psalm 32:1-2 “Seeking Forgiveness From God”

Psalm 32:1-2 “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”

Psalm 32 reveals the joyful state of people who had experienced the forgiveness of God. In these verses, there is a repetition of the theme of forgiveness from God with the phrases “sins are covered”, “transgressions are forgiven” and “does not count against”. The writer of Psalm 32, King David, wanted to emphasize that God forgives people who come before Him in humility and repentance. As a result, people who have been forgiven would feel a great weight lifted off their shoulders as their feelings of guilt for their sins were lifted from them. That was why they felt blessed. But God will forgive people of their sins if they are honest before Him about all their sins – as described in these verses as people, “in whose spirit is no deceit.”

We find truth in these verses when we heard accounts from people we know. A woman was angry with a family member and vowed never to forgive her relative. Her anger just continued to make her bitter and there was a heavy burden on her heart. She did not feel peace. We told her to forgive her family member as God has forgiven her, she must forgive others. She stubbornly refused to forgive, choosing to let her bitterness eat into her. 

On the other hand, we know another woman who had done many wrong things and who had said hurtful things to others. She realized that she needed to go before God to ask for forgiveness, and to ask for forgiveness from those whom she had hurt. Having received God’s forgiveness, she felt much better. She no longer felt guilty for what she had done. She began to focus on ways to rebuild broken relationships with people she knew. It would not be easy but she knew that with God’s help, she was able to move on with her life. She felt at peace. This was how she knew she was blessed and forgiven by God.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship You, for You are merciful and graciously forgives those who repent of their sins, and ask for Your forgiveness. Please help us to have the strength and the will to forgive others as You have forgiven us. We humbly ask this in the Holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. God wants us to have a spirit with no deceit. Will you go before God and repent of every sin that displeases Him so that He can forgive you?
  2. Why is it important to repent of our sins and ask for His forgiveness? Discuss.
  3. How will God’s forgiveness lift the burden of guilt from your hearts? Share your own experiences?
  4. How can you thank God for forgiving you of your sins?