A Word from Psalm 32

Have you experienced the freedom that comes from laying down a heavy burden? Maybe you hiked a long distance, and you finally got to put down your backpack. Maybe you were carrying groceries in from the car, and you finally carried in the last heavy bag. Or maybe the burdens you put down were more emotional or spiritual. You put down the guilt, or the grief, or the anger you’d been carrying, and finally your soul felt light again.

Well listen. Today is Ash Wednesday—the “kick off,” if you will, for the season of Lent, which invites us to be intentional about beginning the journey toward Easter. And because that journey is a whole lot easier when we’re not carrying a burden of sin, the wisdom of believers down through the centuries has encouraged us to use Lent as a time of repenting and drawing close to God, so that we’ll have the freedom we need to follow Jesus all the way to Calvary…and resurrection life beyond!

And in today’s word from Psalm 32, I think we get a reminder of how repentance makes that freedom available to us.

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,” the psalmist says,

     “whose sins are covered.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

     through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy on 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 all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;

     surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

You are my hiding place;

     you will protect me from trouble

     and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (32:1, 3-7)

So today, let me encourage you to embrace the freedom of repentance and forgiveness. And may God’s “songs of deliverance” surround and sustain you as you take up your cross and follow Jesus. Amen.