David Believes: Confession

In the 38^th chapter of Psalms, the depth of this belief in confession is on display:

There is no health in my bones
    because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

My wounds stink and fester
    because of my foolishness.

He continues by sharing how he is impacted by his sin:

I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
    all the day I go about mourning.
For my sides are filled with burning,
    and there is no soundness in my flesh.
I am feeble and crushed;
    I groan because of the tumult of my heart.

We don’t know where exactly in David’s lifetime this Psalm should be placed, but we know David was a man after God’s own heart, who also struggled with sin. If you’ve been following along with the life of David, you know there were many ups and downs – and this confession of his sin could be at multiple points in his life. Just as in any believer’s life.

The cornerstone of Christianity is the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Without it, there is no salvation, no eternity with God. There isn’t a way to earn this gift – but it does have to be accepted. We have to believe and accept this, through a confession of our faith. Part of our confession of faith is the need for this salvation, because of our sin.

Our “coming to Jesus” experiences all look a little different – from alter calls to accepting Jesus into your heart, from a church camp declaration to a deathbed profession. One thread across all of our personal experiences of coming to Christ, is this need of a savior and a turning away from sin. And that’s exactly what confession is – declaring what in our life is against God’s ways, and asking him for forgiveness and help.

Like David, I believe the practice of confession is a holy habit for Christ followers to continue – throughout our lives, not just once at the start of our faith journey.

Sure, the Lord already knows it – all of it. But do you recognize the benefit of saying it out loud to him, recognizing the wrong and why it was wrong, and seeking forgiveness? It takes the power out of the sin and brings it to light. Confession is both humbling and freeing. He promises to forgive us – and loves us through all of it!

If you’re a little rusty on the practice of confessing your sin, here are a few things to guide you in your prayer time:

• Get specific. More than the midwest ope or ‘scuse me, be straightforward about your sin and call it by name when you’re talking with God.
• Recognize why this is against God’s design for us and the impact the sin has.
• Actually ask for forgiveness. “God, will you forgive me for xyz”. Thank him and believe in his forgiveness!
• A truly repentant heart is one that is resolved to change and not continue in that sin. Ask God to help you and guide you to ways of true change. Is there any restitution or restoration that needs to occur with others, because of your sin?

Here are some additional scriptures on confession and forgiveness that encouraged me this week:

If we claim to have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:6-9

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For 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 dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Psalm 32:1-5