THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS
Psalms 32:1-11
When you think of the forgiveness you have received from the Lord, what are some things that come to mind?
INDRODUCTION: David was a man who knew the greatness of the Lord, the guilt of sin, and the grace of God's forgiveness. In this Psalms, David reminds us of the blessings of being forgiven by the Lord. We all battle with sin and sometimes we fail like David.
I. FACT OF OUR SIN
A. DESCRIPTION OF SIN.
1. Transgression: act of rebellion, refusing to submit to rightful authority.
2. Sin: to miss the mark.
3. Iniquity: a word meaning to be bent or twisted.
4. Guile: deceit, to deliberate cover-up, hypocrisy.
B. DEBT OF SIN. (Rom. 6:23)
II. FACING OUR SIN
A. CONVICTION OF THE SINNER. (v. 3-4)
The burden of sin was heavy on David. He was known as the "sweet psalmist of Israel." Sin had robbed him of his song and his joy. He had tried to conceal his sin but his sin had found him out. Even his physical health was affected. God's hand was heavy on David and his soul was drying up.
Proverbs 28:13 "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
B. COUNSEL TO THE SINNER. (v. 9)
Proverbs 1:5 KJV "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels."
Proverbs 14:9 KJV "Fools make a mock at sin."
Proverbs 15:10 KJV "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."
Proverbs 29:1 KJV "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
C. CONFESSION OF THE SINNER. (v. 5)
David's sin was against the Lord, therefore, he confessed unto the Lord.
His way back to God was by acknowledging his sin. We must confess our sin in order for us to be restored to fellowship with the Lord.
The word "confess" means in Hebrew "to throw down or to cast down." The word "confess" in the Greek carries the idea to "agreement" or "to speak the same thing."
When we confess our sin before the Lord, we are throwing them down before Him and agreeing that what He said about sin is true.
III. FORGIVENESS OF OUR SIN
A. RESULTS OF FORGIVENESS.
1. Removing guilt of transgressions. "to lift up and bear away"
"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; ... For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. ... And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 10:12, 14, 17 KJV
2. Covering of sin. "to conceal, to put out of sight"
". . . but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." Hebrews 9:26 KJV
3. Clearing the record of iniquity. "not imputed, debt removed."
"Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." Romans 4:8 KJV
4. Freed from guile.
We should pray open and honest to the Lord. He knows us completely. When we can pray like the psalmist, the Lord can use us for His glory and to be a blessing to other people.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalms 139:23-24 KJV
B. REJOICING IN FORGIVENESS. (v. 11)
1. Blessing of prayer. (v. 6)
2. Blessing of deliverance. (v. 7)
3. Blessing to others. (v. 8)
LESSONS FOR LIFE:
The word "blessed" means "happy." People are longing to be happy in today's world. They are wanting to hold on to their sin and have fulfilled and happy lives. Sin brings grief, suffering, and sorrow. The happy person is the one who walks with God in fellowship.