Get It Off!

There was a young sailor who stood nervously before his division commander. "Sir," the sailor began, "I'm getting married soon, and there's something I've just got to get off my chest."
The commander, lending a listening ear, replied, "Go ahead and tell me your problem."
"Well, it's like this, Sir. I've just got to get this thing off my chest. I'm marrying a girl named Elsie next week."
"Well, lots of boys marry girls named Elsie," the officer responded.
"Yes, Sir, but this tattoo on my chest says Joan."

Sometimes we remain weighed down with burdens God is willing to lift. But our problem may be related to a reluctance to confess and get them OFF OUR CHEST. The Psalmist described the struggle and need in this way:

"(1) Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (2) Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (3) For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. (4) For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. (Selah) (5) I ACKNOWLEDGED MY SIN to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will CONFESS MY TRANSGRESSIONS to the LORD,' AND YOU FORGAVE THE INIQUITY OF MY SIN. (Selah)" ( Psalm 32:1-5 ESV)

God desires to bring us peace. Yes, we need to see sin as a serious thing. It separates us from God. But God has provided the means through the powerful blood of Jesus to remove the guilt. Acknowledge the sin for what it is. Confess it to God. Ask Him for the forgiveness He is anxious to provide. We will breathe easier when we have gotten THE BURDEN OFF OUR CHEST.

Have a great day PRAISING GOD FOR HIS POWER AND WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 11/09/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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