Sept 8 - Psalm 32:3

When I refused to confess my sin,

I was weak and miserable

Psalm 32:3

Psalm 32 is a powerful, personal treatment of the quiet consequences of sin.

We know the "louder" consequences of sin -- we hurt another person, we destroy a relationship.

But the quieter consequences are internal. They nibble at our soul. They poison our peace and rob us of joy.

Guilt is one of those consequences. Psychologically, we like to like ourselves. We'll justify many behaviors to keep feeling "good" about ourselves. But there are some things we just can't excuse. Our conscience tugs and pulls; the sometimes hammers. And it's hard to like ourselves when our conscience is thundering.

What is the effect of guilt? I believe that David was describing the literal, physical effects of depression in verse 4, saying, his "strength evaporated like water in the summer heat."

That's a first quiet consequence of sin. It eats us from the inside out.

The second quiet consequence is the removal of blessings. God won't bless what he doesn't condone. Instead , as David said in verse 4, "Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me." God's discipline is loving. He wants the best for us. It's also painful.

Have you ever suffered from the quiet consequences of sin?

I actually hope so. Why? Because we generally have the exact opposite experience plaguing us in our world today. Our culture has lost the ability (or sensibility) to blush. Sins are flaunted. Consciences are turned off. The consequences are more than eating at society; it's devouring our culture, especially our children.

I pray that more people are like King David. Though imperfect, attuned to the internal voice of God that directs us back to the path of life and light and victory.

In Christ's Love,

a guy who blushes