The power of Confession

Instinctively, we think of confession as a gloomy, dour, introspective activity that, by focusing on all the things we have done wrong, makes us (quite literally) miserable sinners. And there is a grain of truth in this: Our sin is terrible, and we should never trivialise it or excuse it. But David takes a much more positive view of confession in Psalm 32.
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Ps. 32:1–2)

When I stayed silent and did not confess my sin, David elaborates, life was truly miserable. My bones wasted away, I groaned all day, and my strength was like dry ground in a summer drought (Ps. 32:3–4). But then I acknowledged my sin. I confessed it all to God. And he forgave it all (Ps. 32:5), fully releasing me from my debt and causing me to “be glad in the Lord and rejoice” (Ps. 32:11) rather than experiencing “the sorrows of the wicked” (Ps. 32:10).

Confession of sin—and the accompanying forgiveness and cleansing that always follow (1 John 1:9)—is one of the most powerful ways to experience the grace of God. We live out the gospel in miniature in the space of a few minutes. 

We sin; we experience guilt; we come to God and repent; and we find that the arms of the Father are still outstretched in welcome, the blood of the Son is still mighty to save, and the power of the Spirit is still able to transform. Grace is not just a word but a profound experience of God’s favour in the face of real sin and regret.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!1