God's Immutable Grace

How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. - Psalm 32:1

King David began his song of repentance by expressing the blessing received by a person who has known God's forgiveness. His words painfully reveal how miserable he must have been when he tried to hide his sinful tryst with Bathsheba from an omniscient God (as if that could ever be possible). But then David also recorded for us the sweet release he felt when he openly admitted to God what the Lord already knew. Ultimately, while the consequences of David's sin remained, the guilt did not, and David went on to faithfully rule Israel as king for many years to come.

Forgiveness is granted upon an individual's repentance, and not before. At the same time, the one who humbly turns from sin should not continue to fear God's retributive, future, punishing hand. God's grace and mercy in Christ Jesus are as immutable as His justice.

It is a great sign of true repentance when a man approves of the justice of his own punishment. - Hugo Grotius