Joy and relief come from forgiveness and having our sins pardoned. But even more is the knowing that God know longer considers us guilty, and we are no longer separated from Him. We no longer have to hide away from others and God. There will be no more sleepless nights, lack of concentration, physical and emotional illness. for we now have peace and relief having confessed our sins to the Lord and received, not only his favour, but His blessing.
"There is no greater favour than knowing our sins are forgiven." Stormie Omartin.
"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them, and who spirit is no deceit."
Psalm 32:1&2 (NIV)
"Oh what joy for those who disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of signt. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt." (NLT)
This is a psalm that is often read at Easter time, for we know that it is sin that separates us from God and his son Jesus Christ. But it was through Christ's death and resurrection that we can know in our heart that forgiveness is real, and we have freedom and relief from all guilt.
1. Think of a time when your conscience was heavy because of unconfessed sin? How did thiseffect you physically, emotionally and spiritually? How did you find relief?
DAVID'S STORY - Read 2 Samuel 11:1-17
There was a place that David should have been - the BATTLE, fighting with his men. Instead he was in his sitting at his palace window,watching a woman bathe, not really one of his kingly duties. He wasn't where he belonged and he wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing.
Maybe Bathsheba was knowingly tempting him. But was David a victim? Was he faultless? No he had a choice. Her husband was at war, and David knew this. This may have been her usual time for bathing on her rooftop, and David knew this. David had a choice! To watch or not!
Everything was going great for David, as we saw in the previous Psalm. His throne was secure and his approval rating was secure. He was prosperous and as a result his result is ego was becoming inflated. He went from a humble servant to the CEO of Israel, and then he sin.
Today, we too sometimes let our ego takes take hold, even if we have a humble spirit. We may even take on victim status for a while, blaming everyone else around us, except ourselves, but eventually we will have to face the consequences of our sins - even if they may not seem as `drastic' as David's.
2. Think of a sin in your life where you have lost your humility, taken on `victim status' and blamed someone or something else for your sins. Did you have to eventually face the consequences?
Read 2 Samuel 12:1-15
The consequences of David's sin led to a murder plot. David tried to cover up his act of adultery with Bathsheba by having her husband Uriah killed in battle. But David's conscience got the better of him, and he was soon confronted by the God, through the prophet Nathan. And his sin had even more tragic consequences with the later death of his new born son.
3. Is there something in your life that is bothering your conscience? Talk to God about it. Confess your sin to God and seek his forgiveness.
4. Why do we often not consider the long term consequences of our actions?
David eventually found his way back to forgiveness, but first he had to face the truth, through the word of God, through Nathan the prophet. The truth wasn't easy to hear, and at first David didn't recognize Nathan's parable as his own story - instead he became a judge of others actions.
5.In what areas of life do you judge people more harshly than you judge yourself? How would you stand up against your standards?
David needed to know that God was not only watching Him, but it was only through God that He could receive forgiveness and find relief from guilt.
6. Why was it important for David to know that God knew everything he had done?
7. How do you feel knowing God knows everything you have done and thought?
8.How do you feel knowing you can have forgiveness and this relief from guilt?
JOY THAT COMES FROM FORGIVENESS
Read Psalm 32:1&2
In these first two verses, David expresses overjoyed, unrestrained, exuberant gratitude for the Lord's mercy. He has confessed his sin and God has forgiven his guilt. The Lord has penetrated into his inner being and brought him inner peace and joy that can only come from true confession.
HIS SIN AND CONFESSION - Read Psalm 32:3- 5.
David's sin caused several physical ailments:
* his `body waisted away'
* he 'groaned all day long.'
* he 'couldn't sleep'
* his `vitality drained away'.
* he `had a fever'.
David traces this downward spiral, which we may recognize in our lives. It began with a TRANSGRESSION - a willful act of disobediance. In David's case, his act of adultery, which led to him deviating from the path that pleased God, and further sins and iniquity: crooked behaviour, perversion, infraction, corruption. We know how David planned the death of Abigail's husband, so that he could take her as his own mistress. So his sin finally led to deceit - treachery and deception.
Our lives may not seem so bad, but simply it begins with a wrong doing - rebelling against God's will. Next we miss the way of righteousness God has marked for us. Guilt then grabs hold of us leading to inner torment, which leads to self denial, inner torment, shifting of blame and making excuses, and even, `the redefining of the evil to make it sound good'.
David refused to deal with his wrong doing, but he the found his way back to God and to CONFESSION. We too have this same opportunity. Wherever we may be, whatever we have done, God is waiting to hear our confession, so that we can find this PEACE, RELIEF AND JOY that David found.
"Whoever conceals their sin does not prosper, but the one who CONFESSES and RENOUNCES them finds mercy." Proverbs 28:13
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
9. What might happen if you confess your secret sin to someone?
10. Do you trust God to transform your life and to guide you into this relief and peace?
SHARING GOD'S PEACE & GRACE
Read Psalm 32:6-8
Now that David had this peace, he wanted to share this experience with others. He wanted everyone to know how they could have this same freedom and relief.
Easter is an especially good time to tell people your story of how you came to know Jesus. When you recieved Jesus into your life, you began a new victorious life with Him. Jesus has been your PROTECTOR, your GUIDE, INSTRUCTOR AND TEACHER, your LORD and LOVING SAVIOUR. There may still be times when things have not gone well, but with the knowledge of God's forgiveness, you will always have relief and freedom in the `hiding place' of His love.
"You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7
11. Do you think there might be an opportunity over Easter, or some other time of the year, to share your story of forgiveness and salvation with others?
EVERYONE'S CHOICES - Psalm 32: 9-11-
David finishes this psalm with 3 choices:
1. Don't be stubborn. When it comes to confessing your sin, don't put it off or let it build up. God it waiting for you!
2. The path of the wicked brings eternal sorrows, so you really only have one to take, the path to trust, everlasting joy and peace.
3. Remain upright. Stop the downward spiral now - maintain an upright path. Seek help from God and a spiritual mentor to guide you through your spiritual recovery and restoration.
So with hearts pure and trusting in your Saviour, REJOICE AND BE GLAD!!
"Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous sing, all you upright in heart." Psalm 32:11
12. Write down your spiritual goals, your family goals, what you would like to experience in relation to freedom, joy and peace; and what things you need to present to God.
"Living the Psalms" (2012) Charles R Swindoll, Worthy Publishing
"Facing the Giants" (2006) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
The New Matthew Henry Commentary, Martin H Manser, Zondervan
The Bible, New Living Translation, 1996, Tyndale Publishers
New International Version, 2014, Zondervan.
