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LENT REFLECTION (DAY 16)

Overwhelming guilt is the theme for our reflection. To be overwhelmed means be overburdened emotionally, spiritually or physically. Guilt is the fact of having committed a sin. The theme connotes the fact that a person can be overburdened by the ramifications or consequences of his or her sins.

The psalmist finds himself in a helpless situation where it appears God is no longer responding to his prayer of deliverance. He admits his guilt and confesses that “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome
because of my sinful folly.” (Psalms 38:4-5). It is important to note that the psalmist does not hope to perish in his sin but seek refuge, forgiveness and deliverance from the overwhelming guilt which had tormented him emotionally and spiritually. Dear friend in the Lord, sin places us in a precarious situation and separates us from God making us emotionally, spiritually and physically vulnerable. The good news is that our Father in heaven loves us so dearly that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). It is, for this reason, the psalmist wrote that “I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.” (Psalms 38:18). He desperately calls on the Lord to intervene, “LORD, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior.” (Psalms 38:21-22).

Beloved in the Lord, before you start blaming others for your woes or suffering, you need to do a critical self-retrospection, there are many unrepentant people who do not make any effort to overcome sin in their lives and yet expect to experience the glory of God in their lives. Repentance and seeking the glory of God help us to overcome the overwhelming guilt in our lives and consequently restore peace into our lives. The lent season gives us yet another opportunity to fully surrender our lives to God and be delivered from the overwhelming guilt and suffering occasioned by our sins against God. Dear friend, “…the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts (Hebrews 3:7-8), like the prodigal son, let us come to the Lord in total humility and repentance for He is our only refuge and eternal salvation. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, deliver us from the overwhelming guilt of sin and may the peace of the Lord fill our hearts and minds. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)