Godliness #6—Godly Repentance

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not conceal my guilt. I said, “I will confess my rebellion to I AM,” and you lifted off the guilt of my sin. Therefore all who are godly pray to you at a time of distress; then the flood of great waters will not reach them. Psalm 32:5–6

“Noah was a righteous man, faithfully living in fellowship with God.” Godly people know when to get into the Ark. Once God starts the storm and shuts the door, it’s too late. Noah was faithful to God for 600 years before God wiped out his violent, idolatrous, and unrepentant neighbors. He warned people to flee from the judgment to come, but they refused. As the waters rose they banged on the door, but it was too late to enter the safety of God’s forgiveness. The psalmist was a godly man who needed some discipline from God before he admitted that he really had violated their covenant. When he silently tried to deceive himself and God about his sin, he was miserable, for God’s hand was “heavy” upon him. But he stopped this foolishness before it was too late, and experienced the joy of forgiveness and release. From Noah we learn that God is available before he shuts the door of the Ark. From the psalmist we learn of the joy of being free of the heavy hand of God. Godly sinners (not an oxymoron) have hope because God is readily available to remove guilt from those who acknowledge and repent of their rebellion.

Merciful Master, thank you for not allowing me to be deceived by the sin in my life. Grant me the humility I need to confess and seek your ready forgiveness, in Jesus’ name.