I remember once, as a kid, I'd done something I knew my parents would not like. I'd said something I wasn't supposed to, and no one heard me, and I got away with it. But, I didn't. There was an oppressive weight of guilt on my back, and I couldn't enjoy anything- even playing with my favorite toys.
So, I confessed, and immediately felt a weight lift. And the funny thing was, my mom- who I confessed to, didn't punish me, she told me not to do it again and forgave me.
That's what I thought about when I read this psalm. I've always been quick to confess my sins- to God or the person I've hurt or wronged- and I think it's because I learned this early on about myself: I hate the weight of guilt. Not guilt given by another, but the guilt we feel when we KNOW we've done wrong. I can get physically sick with that feeling. That's the same sense I get about this psalm. That it is better to own up to your faults than carry them around and try to hide them.
For one, God knows already, you aren't keeping Him out of the loop. And when it comes to sins against others, they will know eventually, so better to own up now. It really bothers me when people never accept that they have a failing or a sin or a problematic attitude, or at least they never admit they do.
And the beauty of confession is that we are forgiven and surrounded by God's love. And we carry no weight of sin.
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