I was reading Psalm 32 a while ago, and I saw something amazing I want to share with you.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 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. (Psalm 32:3-5)

Reading that the other day, I was struck my how great a gift confession and repentance are. I have not ever really thought of repentance as a blessing, more of a necessary evil, but look at the Psalmist! First he groans and wastes away from the sickness of his sin, but when he confesses and repents- God forgives him. The Psalmist evidently thinks this is such a relief that he tells everyone to do it in the next verse- “therefore, let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found” (Psalm 32: 6). Man, if confession is this good, then everybody should do it!

In his book The Disciplines of Grace, Jerry Bridges relates the words of one Mutua Mahiani, who said “repentance is one of the Christian’s highest privileges. A repentant Christian focuses on God’s mercy and God’s grace. Any moment in our lives when we bask is God’s mercy and grace is our highest moment” (Disciplines of Grace, p. 27).

How amazing is that! Repentance isn’t drudgery, because any Christian who comes to God honestly confessing his guilt will be forgiven! We can rejoice in our repenting, because God is so willing to forgive!