I think it was C.S. Lewis that said, “Only a broken heart is big enough for God to dwell in.” Read Psalm 51 and you will experience the depth of David’s sin against God. Have you ever been haunted by a wrong for a long period of time? Have you forgotten the meaning of sin because we live in a world that wants to rationalize our wrong or blame someone else? If we have guilt with no guilt feelings, then our spiritual nervous system is out of whack. If we have guilt feelings after we have been forgiven then we are basically neurotic, unable to find peace, and unable to accept the powerful sin-forgiving work of Jesus Christ. I think David provides us with a penitential psalm and teaches us a lot about the path to asking for forgiveness and obtaining renewal from God. What can we do about our guilt problem?
- We ought to realize that guilt is a “good” and “natural thing” that points us back to our relationship with God. It is a potential blessing that moves us closer to forgiveness.
- It should not mark defeat for us but a help. If it is not then we may have other problems that need to be dealt with.
- We must remember who God is. He is above all things and loves all. He gave His son for us to become spiritually healthy.
- We need to pray. We need to refuse to give up, let guilt do its work, until it leads us to repentance and “a broken heart that only God can dwell in.”
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The past several days comments and readings really help me plow through the tangles of my human heart and soul, to see my sin, to see my Saviour, to see His forgiveness… it’s more than a mortal can bear.. all I can do is give my life over to the One who gave Himself for me.
Ditto