Devotionals

Pure Relief

by Anne Adams
07/19/25
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Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered Psalm 32:1 (KJV)

The story goes that many years ago a man went to a shoe store where he told the salesman that he wanted to buy new shoes of a certain type in a size eight. However, as the clerk brought out several pair and the customer tried them on, each time he seemed to be in discomfort.  Then the experienced salesman, sensing the problem, had a suggestion. “Let me actually be sure of the size,” he said and then measured the man’s foot. To his surprise he discovered that the man actually wore a size ten!

He told the customer: “You should really wear a size ten not an eight.” The man did not seem concerned. “Oh, I always wear an eight,” he said, “But I don’t mind the discomfort of wearing that when I think about how good it feels to take them off!”

We often experience the same sense of relief on our spiritual walk when - as the Psalmist puts it – our “transgressions are forgiven.” This usually begins when we occasionally wander from God and fail him, then as reality sets in and we often feel a sense of sad regret at our offense. Then with our confession his grace sets up our reconnection and that’s when we experience the release and liberation that comes with his forgiveness. And if we grieve a “transgression” then He not only forgives – but also forgets it!  

And then as we live through and beyond the offense, the resultant relief continues as we resume our spiritual walk and leave our burden behind.  No wonder the psalmist calls such a person blessed and happy!