PASTOR’S PEACE - August, 2010
Picking out a topic for the pastor's peace can be an intriguing process. Since this is the summer edition of the Steeplenotes, I decided to do a search for the word "summer" in the Bible. I found 19 references, and found this one of the most interesting.
David compares the effect of unconfessed sin to that of the heat of summer. He feels like a heavy hand is weighing down upon him. He feels lethargic and washed out as on a hot and humid summer's day. Even his bones are wasting away. Then comes the release of confession. He opens himself back up to the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit.
Nothing worthwhile can be achieved by covering up sin. You live in constant fear of being found out, constant fear of consequences, constant fear of rejection. You spend your life looking back to see if your failure is catching up to you. Any forward look is not to uncover the beauty and joy of the future's potential, but to fearfully anticipate discovery and disgrace. Life is lived without power and without joy, and there is the fear of God's ultimate rejection.
David finally confesses his sin to God (read Psalm 51). When he does he finds grace, he finds forgiveness, he finds renewal. His spirit is refreshed, his faith in God's promises returns, and his strength is restored. In light of God's ultimate forgiveness he is able to face the earthly consequences of his sin (read 2 Samuel 12:1-25). God forgives us for our sin and pays the price of our sin through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we give ourselves to Him when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this grace becomes our experience and God will never take it away. However, when we fail to confess our sins we deny ourselves the experience of that grace in our daily lives. Nothing is hidden from God. It is a waste of time and energy to try to hide from Him. Confession is indeed good for the soul.
One other note, David needs Nathan to be part of that confessional process, and you may need a Nathan in your life to confront you with your sin, and remind you of God's forgiveness.
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 5 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.
I could really relate to that "heat of summer" thing. I am very subject to the effect of hot, humid weather. It kicks up my asthma and I find that living in air conditioning is the best solution, along with drinking plenty of the right kinds of liquid (no caffeine). If I want to get outside work done, I need to take frequent breaks and drink lots of water.David compares the effect of unconfessed sin to that of the heat of summer. He feels like a heavy hand is weighing down upon him. He feels lethargic and washed out as on a hot and humid summer's day. Even his bones are wasting away. Then comes the release of confession. He opens himself back up to the refreshing power of the Holy Spirit.
Nothing worthwhile can be achieved by covering up sin. You live in constant fear of being found out, constant fear of consequences, constant fear of rejection. You spend your life looking back to see if your failure is catching up to you. Any forward look is not to uncover the beauty and joy of the future's potential, but to fearfully anticipate discovery and disgrace. Life is lived without power and without joy, and there is the fear of God's ultimate rejection.
David finally confesses his sin to God (read Psalm 51). When he does he finds grace, he finds forgiveness, he finds renewal. His spirit is refreshed, his faith in God's promises returns, and his strength is restored. In light of God's ultimate forgiveness he is able to face the earthly consequences of his sin (read 2 Samuel 12:1-25). God forgives us for our sin and pays the price of our sin through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we give ourselves to Him when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this grace becomes our experience and God will never take it away. However, when we fail to confess our sins we deny ourselves the experience of that grace in our daily lives. Nothing is hidden from God. It is a waste of time and energy to try to hide from Him. Confession is indeed good for the soul.
One other note, David needs Nathan to be part of that confessional process, and you may need a Nathan in your life to confront you with your sin, and remind you of God's forgiveness.
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