THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Lord, carrying loads of guilt and shame is no way to live, yet sadly, multitudes of troubled souls carry these unwanted burdens. This is normal for those who don’t know you. The enemy of our soul, the devil, relishes in throwing up our past, warning us to hide these failures and embarrassments that could ruin us socially. They fear the risks of humiliation and rejection. Who wants to be on the receiving end of gossip and finger pointing?

Sadly, for many Christ followers, this battle to hide guilt and shame is nothing new. The fact that God has removed our guilt and buried our shame is part of the redemption God has fulfilled for us. Millennia ago, the psalmist addressed this issue.

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty” (Psalm 32:1.2 NLT).

The work of Jesus’ redemption on the cross voids the burdens of our carrying guilt and shame. Jesus took that all on himself so we would be forever free from carrying that burden around our neck. Like the psalmist, once these great truths are firmly rooted in our spirit, what joys and freedoms flood our soul. And when we mess up and sin again, as we all will, Jesus has paid for that too. Jesus says confess, repent, and carry on walking your life’s road with me. Another benefit of the cross.

Lord, may we live in the freedom and joy of Psalm 32:1-2 daily. Amen, Jesus.