Friday, May 31, 2024

Today's Scripture
Psalm 32

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.

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.

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.

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. (NRSV)

Reflection

The Bible has a good deal to say about forgiveness. In fact, one could argue that it is the central theme of our scriptures. Think about it: from Genesis to Revelation, the people of God are stuck in a loop. God gives the people what they need; the people turn away from God; God forgives; rinse and repeat. We humans can’t seem to change. And thankfully, neither does God. We sin. God forgives.

It’s never that simple though, is it? In that loop of sin and forgiveness are deep, complicated emotions. We all know the feeling of a heavy heart when we have gone off course. We have felt the groaning of our stomachs when we have put our needs before others. We have experienced sleepless nights as we replay our conversations or regret our misdeeds. Sin affects us. We, like the psalmist, bear the weight of our actions (or, at times, inactions).

There is good news for those of us who know the pain of sin, however. God offers forgiveness as our balm. The psalmist notes that God’s pardon is a protection, a hiding place, and an escape from a life suffocated by guilt and shame. God’s forgiveness gives us deep and abiding relief.

Every week we gather before God and our community to confess our shortcomings. It's a vital part of the loop, a chance to reset. No matter the weight of our sin, we are met with a profound reminder: "In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven." Six simple words with the power to mend our spirits and renew our hope.

I know that the burden of our actions makes facing God daunting. Admitting our human failings to God is admitting them to ourselves, and that's hard. It would be easier to dwell in the pit of our sin.

But here is my bet: God is more mercy than judgment, more love than anger, and more perfect than mortal. When we bring our honest struggles before God, a liberating joy awaits us, a joy that is restful, restorative, and worthy of our praise.

Prayer
Friends, believe the good news.

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

—The Declaration of Pardon

Reflection written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer