He Lightens My Load

Silent.

I cover up the darkness within. If I do not speak of what is hidden, I think that none shall know. But in my silence I inwardly groan and waste away. It is as if a heavy hand presses down upon me, sapping my strength like the blazing heat of summer.

Naked.

I am only deceiving myself. My guilt is already known and uncovered before the One who knows me better than I know myself. I rip away the covering and acknowledge the darkness within. All is exposed, uncovered, revealed. I know, am aware of, and renounce the evil.

Covered.

I no longer falsely cover my guilt. The One who carried, lifted up, and bore my sin away has me covered. I am forgiven, and He calls me…

Blessed.

This poem is inspired by Psalm 32. The author (King David) felt horrible when he tried to cover up his wrongdoing, but when he confessed his sins to God, God forgave him. Trying to cover our sins doesn’t work. But Jesus doesn’t merely cover our sins (as Psalm 32:1 prays), but even more, He forgives and removes them “as far as the east is from the west†(Psalm 103:12).

God took the punishment for our sins on Himself. Though Jesus never sinned, He allowed Himself to be uncovered. He was humbled, stripped naked, and lifted up on a cross in order to carry our sins. Jesus died, but He rose again—defeating sin and death forever. Now He asks us to uncover the ugliest places in our lives to Him through acknowledging and confessing our sins. When we humble ourselves, He will lift us up and remove the guilt and shame. Then we will know the blessings of forgiveness instead of the despair of guilt. • Marie Cleveland

• Can you think of a time you experienced God’s forgiveness? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this.

• Is there something in your life you’ve been trying to cover up?

How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! Psalm 32:1 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Josh.1.1-Josh.1.9|Ps.27.3|Isa.41.10|Jer.17.7|Prov.3.25-Prov.3.26