Forgiven
(NIV) Psalm 32
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the LORD does not count against them
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 on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
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.
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Do you think of David as being a hero, or is he too flawed? David was indeed flawed, but the thing that draws me to him was his innate understanding of Who God was and who David was in God.
When I first gave my life to Christ, I got it so wrong. I thought being a Christian meant I was to be sinless, which meant I had to be perfect. So, if I sinned I thought I had lost my salvation, or perhaps I never really had a saving relationship with God. Why didn’t someone tell me all I had to be was willing to ask for forgiveness? Why didn’t someone say to me that there are tools to help us live a lifestyle that is pleasing to God, and trying to be perfect was not one of them.
What are some of the tools David shows us in this psalm to enable us to live a Christian lifestyle?
- Be quick to confess your sins. David says when he kept quiet, he literally became sick. Sin does that, but Grace makes us whole.
- Seek out the Lord while He may be found. God never leaves us nor forsakes us, but the more we consort with sin, the farther we stray from God.
- Make God your hiding place. There is safety in the cleft of the Rock because that Rock is Jesus.
- Sing, sing, sing. There is deliverance in singing. My vocal cords are shot, but I can still make a joyful noise, and so can you.
May we find peace, forgiveness and joy as we walk daily with our Lord.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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