Psalm 32 is a penitential psalm. That is, it expresses sorrow for sin and the desire for repentance.
Sin is the reality of every human heart. Born in sin and enslaved by sin, humanity lives under the power of sin. This is the death sentence of every person.
Is there a solution for that condition of soul which makes fellowship with God impossible and our life after death separated from Him our forever reality? Wonderfully, marvellously, amazingly, yes, there is! The Son of God came to seek out and save the lost.
In the garden, following their earth-shattering disobedience, Adam hid, but God sought him out.
…the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:8-10)
God confronts us in our sin with His heavy hand of conviction, even bringing physical suffering in order to press us and force us to “come clean” with our misdeeds of wrongdoing.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah (Psalm 32:4 ESV)
Here is the wrestle: sin leaves us naked, ashamed and afraid. The very One we have offended, the thrice holy God is the last one we want to face. Living under the weight of the guilt of sin is a painful existence. However, in mercy, God brings us to that place that we might be honest before Him, confess our sin, seek forgiveness and be restored to Him, to others and within ourselves.
Jesus Christ is EXACTLY the One to whom we need to run, for there is always mercy to be found, and forgiveness is available in no other person or place!
Confession of sin (vs. 5) brings the covering of sin, the removal of soul-sapping, suffocating shame, and restored fellowship with our Creator. As heavy as is the weight of conviction of God’s Spirit, MUCH GREATER STILL is the liberation of forgiveness and restored joy in the Spirit. Hallelujah!
In response to the admission of their nakedness the Lord God made a garment for them to cover their shame (Gen. 3:21). Our forgiveness does not come with additional animal sacrifices, as it did in David’s day. It comes through trusting the Lamb of God, who is the once and for all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 7:27).
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us… (Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV)
Let us not run from God and hide because of our sin. Let us run to the cross of Christ and seek His forgiveness, His hand of blessing and His guidance upon our lives. This is the blessing of every born again believer who has been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11 ESV)
Prayer
Merciful Father, who seeks out the wayward and the lost, once again we thank You for the gift of Your Son who lived perfectly to die for sinful humanity.
Our hope, our trust, our faith is in You alone. We rejoice today, as the upright in heart, and our joy is from You and because of You. We confess our need of daily grace, humility and forgiveness. May a life of praise and obedience accompany our glad hearts for how we’ve been forgiven.
Psalm 32
Psalm 32 is a penitential psalm. That is, it expresses sorrow for sin and the desire for repentance.
Sin is the reality of every human heart. Born in sin and enslaved by sin, humanity lives under the power of sin. This is the death sentence of every person.
Is there a solution for that condition of soul which makes fellowship with God impossible and our life after death separated from Him our forever reality? Wonderfully, marvellously, amazingly, yes, there is! The Son of God came to seek out and save the lost.
In the garden, following their earth-shattering disobedience, Adam hid, but God sought him out.
…the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:8-10)
God confronts us in our sin with His heavy hand of conviction, even bringing physical suffering in order to press us and force us to “come clean” with our misdeeds of wrongdoing.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah (Psalm 32:4 ESV)
Here is the wrestle: sin leaves us naked, ashamed and afraid. The very One we have offended, the thrice holy God is the last one we want to face. Living under the weight of the guilt of sin is a painful existence. However, in mercy, God brings us to that place that we might be honest before Him, confess our sin, seek forgiveness and be restored to Him, to others and within ourselves.
Jesus Christ is EXACTLY the One to whom we need to run, for there is always mercy to be found, and forgiveness is available in no other person or place!
Confession of sin (vs. 5) brings the covering of sin, the removal of soul-sapping, suffocating shame, and restored fellowship with our Creator. As heavy as is the weight of conviction of God’s Spirit, MUCH GREATER STILL is the liberation of forgiveness and restored joy in the Spirit. Hallelujah!
In response to the admission of their nakedness the Lord God made a garment for them to cover their shame (Gen. 3:21). Our forgiveness does not come with additional animal sacrifices, as it did in David’s day. It comes through trusting the Lamb of God, who is the once and for all sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 7:27).
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us… (Ephesians 1:7-8 ESV)
Let us not run from God and hide because of our sin. Let us run to the cross of Christ and seek His forgiveness, His hand of blessing and His guidance upon our lives. This is the blessing of every born again believer who has been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11 ESV)
Prayer
Merciful Father, who seeks out the wayward and the lost, once again we thank You for the gift of Your Son who lived perfectly to die for sinful humanity.
Our hope, our trust, our faith is in You alone. We rejoice today, as the upright in heart, and our joy is from You and because of You. We confess our need of daily grace, humility and forgiveness. May a life of praise and obedience accompany our glad hearts for how we’ve been forgiven.
In the merciful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Jody Cross