Psalm 32:1-6a (NIV): Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him 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 upon 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 everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found
One of the biggest obstacles to being an effective Christian is unconfessed, unrepented-of sin. Sin, rebellious attitudes toward God and the sinful actions that spring from them, effectively cut people off from God’s presence and His power in their lives. Someone with unconfessed sin cannot be a powerful witness or an effective pray-er. (James had it right: it is the prayer of a righteous person that is powerful and effective; NOT simply the prayer of a “Christian”. James 5:16b) Unconfessed sin keeps the rebellion going, and turns a person’s back to God. When they feel conviction for their unconfessed sin, they drown it out instead of responding with true and heartfelt repentance, forgetting that it is God’s voice that they are really drowning out.
The one prayer that God hears from a sinner is the prayer of repentance. He listens for it, and when it is prayed, He responds with forgiveness and restoration. He welcomes the prodigal back with feasting and celebration. But there is no feast for those who stubbornly choose to remain in the far country dining on pig food! They experience the bone-wasting, groan-inducing, strength-sapping weight of God’s hand upon them until they are willing to turn back. God’s heart’s desire is for all to turn back to Him, to turn away from their rebellion and sin, and to experience life to the full.
Father, thank You for this great love for us. Help us to ALWAYS keep our faces turned directly toward You, and, if we ever do fall into sin, to repent fully and immediately so that there is NO separation between You and us. Amen.