Always Blessed

¹ Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.   ² Blessed is the one whose sins the LORD does not count against them, and in whose spirit is no deceit.                                                                                                                                       – Psalm 32:1-2
 
 
“Wow.  The LORD has really blessed me.”

You’ve heard that.  You’ve said that.  Why?  Maybe you received a bonus.  Blessed.  Perhaps you held a new child or grandchild for the first time.  Blessed.  Did you get relief from an ominous situation at the doctor’s office, or from a close call on the freeways?  Blessed.  And you’re right!  You are blessed by the LORD on days like these.

But there’s more.  God also tells us we are blessed when our income is plummeting, as we’re wading into the thick of disaster, or when the doctor offers a heartbreaking update.  How can that be?

Psalm 32:1-2 gives the answer.  In two short verses, we find four different Hebrew words for “sin.”  The first word has the flavor of rebellion, a toxic mix of arrogance and defiance.  The second word has the flavor of guilt – payment must be made for what you’ve done, and it’s crushing you.  The third word has the flavor of intentional sin.  Your selfishness was no accident, and you even bragged to yourself about it later, ready for more.  And the fourth word has the flavor of deceit.  You’re pretending to be something you aren’t, working overtime to hide what you’ve done.

You are accountable to a holy God for all of it.  Rebellion.  Guilt.  Intentional sin.  Deceit.  Yes, you are.   
How awesome that embedded within these same two verses are three words for forgiveness!  Rebellion results had been fastened to my soul, but now they’ve been lifted away from me.  Heavy guilt had to be paid, but now what had me staggering has all been covered.  The LORD who counts the hairs on your head has decided to not count your sins against you anymore in Christ.

Here’s why you’re always blessed: you made a terrible, sinful mess; and yet you walk away forgiven in Christ.  God has punished Jesus instead of punishing you.  No earthly crash can ever change his heavenly decree of forgiveness!  So, hide in God, not from him!  In him you are, and always will be, blessed.

Prayer – Gracious God, thank you for your full, free, eternal forgiveness in Christ.  It’s stressful to live in sin and deceit.  It’s heavy to lug around my guilt everywhere I go.  Thank you for the gift of being able to be transparent before you.  Give me a repentant heart of heavenly wisdom.  Then I will see myself as one who is always blessed, regardless of what happens on the roller coaster of this life.  Amen.