Lenten Reader | Day 24

March 29th, 2022

I Will Confess

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.
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.

- Psalm 32:1-7

In today’s world many people have forgotten God’s greatest gift, forgiveness. Unforgiveness can lead to anger, fear, paranoia, violence, and even major health issues. When we carry unforgiveness it can act like a crushing weight which is harmful to us both mentally and physically.

This constant stress can build like a snowball. When under stress people lash out not knowing why. They can make rash decisions adding guilt, anger, and frustration to an already overwhelmed mental state. All of this can lead to sever depression and the inability to think clearly. This pressure and stress can also affect your physical health. It can cause a heart attack, lower the immune response, and a host of other serious health conditions. These health conditions in turn add even more pressure to an already bad situation.

The good news is God, the Great Physician, gave us the remedy for these issues. He gave us a pathway to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. This remedy is the simplest act for a child but can be the most difficult action ever done by an adult.

To receive this miracle remedy, you only need to come to Christ with childlike trust, faith, and belief. Laying it all out in the open, not hiding anything, and asking the Father for forgiveness for where you have missed the mark. Also asking Him to guide you to do better in life. The last part of this cure can be the most difficult of all. Go to those whom you have harmed and honestly ask for their forgiveness as well. If the person will not grant you this gift, do not hold it against them. Instead give the matter to God and help them when needed.

When you have received forgiveness from God, be joyous, praise Him, thank Him. And dwell on your mistake no more. Be happy in the fact that God can and has removed you from your mistakes. As far as the east is from the west.

- Josh Henry

Prayer
Father, forgive my sins. Separate them from me as far as the east is from the west.