Thursday, July 01, 2010
Oh, What a Relief It Is !
Some readers may remember the antacid ad from the late 70s in which a famous actor said, “plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is.” A few years before the same company ran an ad featuring “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!” Obviously the marketing division of this well-known company was targeting those of us who might tend to over-eat or mis-eat and then search for a simple way to “fix” the consequences. At one time this antacid was promoted as a kind of a cure-all; the manufacturer recommended that it be taken for “the blahs.” Wouldn’t it be great to have a pill like that – one that had no side effects?
I’m all for simple solutions: Rinse with water (when necessary ad a little ammonia or bleach)... find a cure... relieve the pain… click “undo”.
Unfortunately so many things in life are much more complicated than that: You can’t un-say cruel words… un-slap a face… un-do a conception… un-wreck a car.
Where does one find relief when one’s sins come back to haunt them? How does one alleviate the heartache associated with a broken home? Where can one find peace after sustaining emotional injuries?
Israel’s famous King David is well known for his sin. He is also well-respected because he learned to humbly and honestly ask God’s forgiveness. He found relief. This is what he said on the matter:
“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!
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.’ Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! (Psalm 32 NLT)
There is great relief in godly living, coupled with repentance. So why do so many of us avoid the solution? Often our pride, stubbornness and self-deception stand in the way. It is our tendency to try to manipulate circumstances, feelings or even God, instead of just honestly admitting our offenses and accepting God’s rules and His grace.
Honest living supplemented with healthy doses of repentance spells r-e-l-i-e-f. “It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered but the Lord takes care of the godly.” (Psalms 37:16-17 NLT) I’d rather be poor than dishonest. I would rather be lonely than a cohort of those who hurt others. I would rather be mocked than deny my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Right living is where the relief is, and God defines right living. Try it; you’ll notice the internal peace and joy it brings. O what a relief it is!
I’m all for simple solutions: Rinse with water (when necessary ad a little ammonia or bleach)... find a cure... relieve the pain… click “undo”.
Unfortunately so many things in life are much more complicated than that: You can’t un-say cruel words… un-slap a face… un-do a conception… un-wreck a car.
Where does one find relief when one’s sins come back to haunt them? How does one alleviate the heartache associated with a broken home? Where can one find peace after sustaining emotional injuries?
Israel’s famous King David is well known for his sin. He is also well-respected because he learned to humbly and honestly ask God’s forgiveness. He found relief. This is what he said on the matter:
“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!
When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.
The LORD says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.’ Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! (Psalm 32 NLT)
There is great relief in godly living, coupled with repentance. So why do so many of us avoid the solution? Often our pride, stubbornness and self-deception stand in the way. It is our tendency to try to manipulate circumstances, feelings or even God, instead of just honestly admitting our offenses and accepting God’s rules and His grace.
Honest living supplemented with healthy doses of repentance spells r-e-l-i-e-f. “It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered but the Lord takes care of the godly.” (Psalms 37:16-17 NLT) I’d rather be poor than dishonest. I would rather be lonely than a cohort of those who hurt others. I would rather be mocked than deny my God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Right living is where the relief is, and God defines right living. Try it; you’ll notice the internal peace and joy it brings. O what a relief it is!
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