Knowledge is Power

Psalm 32
  1 Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins 
     are covered.
  2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against 
     him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
  3 When I kept silent,my bones wasted away through my groaning 
     all day long.
  4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
     my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
  5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my 
     iniquity.  I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
      and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
  6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may 
     be found;surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.
  7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

A popular motto I heard throughout elementary and middle school was "Knowledge is Power". True, knowing more information does give me more "power" but that's only partially correct. Being knowledgeable doesn't always empower a person does it? Sometimes the things I hear burden me more than it emboldens me. So maybe we should add a disclaimer or modify this motto a little- "Knowledge of God is power". I like this one better.

When we come to know God, and I mean "know" him in the sense of intimacy, we are empowered. This is the safest kind of knowledge. Why? Well, for starters, there is nothing we need to know from God that he cannot empower us to accomplish. If God is the source, the bank of all our needs (both physical and spiritual), then He is more than able to give us all resources to properly act.

Read verse 1 again,
Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered

and then tie it in with verses 5 and 6,
   5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
      I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "—
      and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
  6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found;
     surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. "

Here's a thought. Which knowledge is more powerful? The one that informs you or one that frees you? This is getting philosophical I know but hand in there.  I think we can do a play on words but you get the idea.  In the end, I think the conclusion should be the same- however that it may empower me or us to ACT.

How powerful is a forgiven man or woman? I wish I could have been around slaves in the South once they realized the full measure of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. What did they look like (body language, eyes, community) when they realized they were "FREE!"?  Imagine the sounds heard throughout the country....wow.  Man, what a great victory over the cries of injustice. In the same way the slaves were elated to find out what freedom was accorded to them so a man or woman who comes to the realization and/or knowledge of forgiveness and relief of burdens. What a joy!

Today, glory in the knowledge that you have been forgiven. That you are more than what was told of you.  And don't just stop there.  Seek to know Him more. It is only the beginning. Knowing God is our Father, it should make things a lot easier. Notice I said "easier" but not "easy". Today, let's thank our Father for his love by sending Jesus and then glory in the knowledge that you and I have been forgiven and are free. What else does the "freedom" afford us?

God, thank you for the awareness of your love and the freedom you afford me. Your love is grand, your light is my help and strength. Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. For this, I pray gratefully. Teach me the end of my life. Show me what should be the remainder of my life- I owe a great debt to you. I am blessed to be forgiven and empowered to act.  Show me how to use this knowledge today.