Confession, forgiveness, and teachable joy

Silence that aged the bones, then a confessed covering

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the person against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When he kept silence, his bones wasted through roaring all day. Day and night God's hand was heavy; his strength dried as in summer drought. Then he acknowledged his sin and did not cover his iniquity. He said he would confess, and God forgave the iniquity of his sin. Forgiveness here is gift after truth-telling. It does not erase consequences, safeguarding, restitution, or needed care, and it does not make every bodily distress a one-cause spiritual problem.

A hiding place, and a warning not to be a mule

Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer while God may be found. When great waters rise, they shall not reach him. God is his hiding place, preserves him from trouble, surrounds him with shouts of deliverance.

God will instruct and teach in the way he should go, counsel with the eye upon him. Be not like horse or mule, without understanding, that must be curbed with bit and bridle. Many are the sorrows of the wicked; steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Joy follows uncovered sin, not a performance of having never needed uncovering.