Message #8 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series "Confession"

by Kaye Johns

Living with an awareness of unconfessed sin in our lives can cause terrible unrest, the kind of anguish David revealed in his prayer of Psalm 32: "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."

David was distraught, but he knew what to do about it. His prayer continues, "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." [Ps. 32:3-5] It didn’t matter how terrible David’s sins, or transgressions; once he confessed, the Lord forgave him, and he was free from the guilt that had plagued him.

In that same prayer, that same psalm, David goes on to proclaim of the Lord: "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." And as for God, He replies: ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.’" What caused the difference in David’s attitude, his outlook? It was more than relief from guilt; it was restored fellowship and communion with the Lord. Once again, he sensed His presence. Once again, he heard His voice.

Through our confession of sins, we too can be free from guilt, but like David, we have to ask forgiveness. We must take the initiative. The responsibility is ours.

Pray with me now -- Lord, help us realize we never need to carry the burden of guilt, if we will only face our sins and confess them in the name of our Savior. Amen.

ã 1999 PrayerPower Ministries, P.O. Box 1368, Dallas, TX 75380-1368, 1-800-949-PRAY.
May be copied for personal or church use; please include PrayerPower name, address and phone on copies.