Grateful for the gift of repentance, Lent invites me into an even deeper experience of repentance through my Lenten journey in selected psalms. The blessings of repentance outweigh the uncomfortable posture of allowing the Holy Spirit to search me and know me, determining any areas of unconfessed sin. (Psalm 139:23-24)
Owning those deeds, words, thoughts, and motives which displease God, with honest remorse, gifts us the blessings of repentance.
Embracing the invitation of Lent to a season of realignment and relinquishment, I choose intentional time for quiet contemplation considering any areas of displeasure to God.
the blessing of a heart after god
Similar to both the lessons of the wilderness in Psalm 13, and the courage of confession (need link 3/13) in Psalm 6, David plumbs the depth of the blessings of repentance in Psalm 32.
The man after God’s own heart bravely faces the unconfessed sin in his life, relinquishing his own way while realigning himself with God’s ways.
Psalm 32
Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5 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.
6 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.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
the blessings of repentance
Through Psalm 32, David teaches a posture of repentance which yields rich rewards to those who seek to submit their hearts to God’s perfect work through it.
Forgiveness
David reminds us straight away of the blessings of repentance, the first being Forgiveness.
In verses one through five David contrasts the blessing of receiving forgiveness for sin confessed to God with the reality of the torment of unconfessed sin.
God not only forgives my sin but removes the guilt and shame of my sin.
David received deliverance from his sin, and his situation, but while he desired deliverance, he looked rather to submit to repentance, and allow God to change him, rather than his circumstance.
As I repent of my sin, I receive forgiveness, and within the forgiveness rests deliverance.
Transformation
One of the treasures of this Psalm greets me in verses eight and nine; wisdom. Notice David’s repentant heart of submission invites the wisdom and counsel of the Lord!
Repentance is more than forgiveness of sin; within the submission of a penitent heart, the Holy Spirit performs the conforming work of tomorrow’s becoming.
Bringing us to another of the blessings of repentance, Transformation.
When we fully submit to repentance, like David, we become someone who desires God’s way rather than our own. Which draws us into the intimacy of the teaching and counsel of the Lord.
While repentance erases the sin and guilt of past sin, it also strengthens us against future sin, transforming our minds and hearts.
Unfailing Love
Tucked into verse 10, may be the best blessing of all: God’s unfailing love.
David reminds us God’s unfailing love surrounds all who trust in Him for forgiveness and deliverance.
There is no fear in the perfect love of God ( 1 John 4:18) inviting us to trust God fully through repentance and confession of sin.
As a child of God, I have access to my heavenly Father without fear of retribution or punishment, allowing me to confess and forsake my sins.
The blessing of obedience
Ultimately, submission to God in repentance comes from an obedient heart. David personifies this level of obedience so well in Psalm 32. Recognizing his particular need, he seeks realignment with God’s heart first and foremost through confession of sin.
By relinquishing his own way through a penitent heart, David receives the gift of forgiveness, transformation, and deliverance all covered in God’s unfailing and perfect love.
This Lenten season, as I journey through realigning my heart with God’s heart, my first stop is relinquishing my own way through repentance. Celebrating the gift of “becoming” through transformation as God’s teaching and counsel permeate my soul and life.
Where are you on your Lenten Journey?
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Repentance is such a strong act as it impacts our past, our present, and our future. May we approach our God knowing He is loving towards us and desires to do a complete work in our lives. One moment of repentance brings relinquishment of having my own way, realigns my heart with God’s purposes, and restoration. We need to remind ourselves of the beauty and fullness which comes with repentance.
Joanne, I didn’t quite view repentance in the way you mention, impacting our past, present, and future, but how true that is! And such a blessing as a part of God’s way of redeeming everything in our lives for our good and His glory!
As you’ve so beautifully shared, humility on our part leads to joy. The Lord offers such tender love when we admit our sin and need for Him. Love this!
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you, Tammy, there is such blessing in confession, I don’t know why I find an excuse to avoid it! God is always so loving and kind when I humbly come to Him!
So often we don’t want to confess because we fear God’s reaction—but as a parent and teacher, I’d much rather have my students or children confess than live with them avoiding me because they feel guilty.
Anita, you are so right, I remember when my children were small, I would much rather hey told me what they did wrong, so we could work through it and restore fellowship. I imagine God feels much the same way! We need not fear His reaction, because He wants so much to cleanse us and restore our fellowship with Him.
When we humble ourselves before Him, we can “feel” His smile and love, and His love transforms us. How beautiful and kind He is!
Lisa, God is indeed kind to offer us access to Him as our Good Father when we have chosen to live in a way displeasing to Him. And not only access, but complete forgiveness and reconciliation! Truly an unfailing love.
Donna, I love how you point us to the blessings of repentance. I know I feel immediate love and comfort as I repent. This is such a blessing!
Deborah, the more I lean into repentance, the more I see the true gift it is!
I love how God loves us. Unconditional. Unfathomable. Incomparable. Indeed His love is enough to cast out fears and transform us into better versions of ourselves.
Thank you so much for this timely reminder.
Lux, I am so glad you stopped by! Sometimes I so need to be reminding of the depth of god’s love for me, Praising Him that you found that here today!