Saturday, February 25, 2012

February 25th Reflection by Bill Lynch


Psalm 32 (NRSV)
God forgives sin
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Selah

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah

Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
Selah


I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.

Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Reflection
Oh, how we struggle with sin. We keep it bottled up and think about it and worry about it and grapple with it and wrestle with it. When we fight the sin in this way it even consumes us. But the turning point? The turning point is when we finally confess it. We we let go of it and take it to God. When we no longer hide it but take it to God. And God forgives us.

Set free from the struggle our energy is joyous response to the unfathonable love of God. We live in joy and love and live out a new recreated life free from sin. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, take this sin of mine and forgive me that I may change and be new in you... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen

No comments: