The Freedom of Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1–11 NIV

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 in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 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. Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Introduction: Is there a danger in our discussion about feeling distant from God to avoid talking about some real issues in our life?

Lady who was a guest at New Hope - Did not like messages about sin or Jesus’ Death - We should preach more like Joel Olsteen where we walk away with positive life perspectives.

I fear that by doing so, we avoid one important reality that if understood could lead to greater Joy with God, than just positive thinking.

16 - Our Sin Separates us from God.

Sometimes seasons of God’s silence are a spiritual test. Will we be faithful to seek him and trust him even when all is not well? Other times, we may be experiencing separation from God because of hidden or unconfessed sin in our hearts. That’s what this psalm addresses, and it does so with great encouragement: as soon as we come to God in repentance, he is quick to forgive us and to restore us.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” (). All of us have sin in our lives, but if we harden our hearts to disregard God’s Word on a particular matter, if we cherish or treasure sin even in a secret place, it will hinder our spiritual health and directly affect our relationship with God, even putting a serious blockade on our prayer life.

1 Peter 3:7 LEB

Husbands, in the same way live with your wives knowledgeably, as with the weaker female vessel, showing them honor as fellow heirs also of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7

1. Not all suffering comes because of sin; just look at the book of Job! But if we are facing a dark season where God seems far away, it cannot hurt to ask ourselves honestly, “Am I hiding any sin in my life? When was the last time I heard the Lord instruct me? Did I obey it?” We can also take comfort in knowing that God does not want us to stay in our sin; he will help us search our hearts in order to be free from sin. If we have honestly humbled ourselves before the Lord and cannot find any rebellion, we can rest in knowing that the Lord’s “unfailing love surrounds” those who trust him (v. 10), even when we don’t feel like it.

Example of people separated because of a transgression between people.

This realization that sin hinders our prayer life is repeated in where Peter instructs husbands to be considerate toward their wives and to treat them with respect “so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” All of us have sin in our lives, but if we harden our hearts to disregard God’s Word on a particular matter, if we cherish or treasure sin even in a secret place, it will hinder our spiritual health and directly affect our relationship with God, even putting a serious blockade on our prayer life.

Covering Someone with a “Blanket” of Sin Demonstration...

Covering Someone with a “Blanket” of Sin Demonstration...

The problem is that Scripture and this Psalm make it seem so easy, but reality is...

17 - Disclosing our Disobedience Seems Painful.

Verses 3–5 describe the painful process that it took for David, the author of this psalm, to finally come to a place of repentance. He ignored his sin until God’s “hand was heavy on” him, increasing his discomfort until, finally, he acknowledged his sin and repented (vv. 4–5). As soon as he confessed, God forgave. Sometimes the pain of God’s silence is a direct result of our stubborn unwillingness to repent. But we can find comfort in knowing that as soon as we humble ourselves and confess, God is faithful to forgive us.

Verse 9 uses the imagery of domesticated labor animals to get a point across. To illustrate this, hold up an actual bridle and bit while you talk about this verse. Those riding animals like the horse and mule use a special piece of equipment called a bit, a piece of metal that goes into the animal’s mouth and fits under their tongue. The bit is held in place and attached to the bridle. A rider’s reins attach to each side of the bridle, so he can pull one way or another. The animal must respond to the slightest guidance or the bit will cause pain under its tongue. Just as masters use a bit and bridle to direct their animals and get them to go in the right way, so God will also use pain to get our attention and to make us acutely aware of his way. In God’s mercy and kindness, he doesn’t just give up on us and let us go our own destructive way (v. 4). But, as this psalmist urges, that’s not the best way. God would much rather we obey him out of our own desire to please him than out of an avoidance of pain.

Although Disclosing our Disobedience seems painful...

18 - Disclosing our Disobedience brings the Freedom of Forgiveness.

Throwing Up - Painful, but relieving after words.

Removing the “Blanket” of Sin Demonstration.

The Power of Words, of speaking your sin, how sin destroy’s our insides, but by speaking our sin it loses its control over us, it allows us to see ourselves objectively, honestly, and see our need for God. It becomes a commitment then to allowing God to remove your sin.

Story of Someone who Confessed and received tremendous joy.

19 - Ongoing - Circle of Belief and Repentance - The Last part of the Psalm - willingly allowing God to Train us and guide us in His way.

20 - Conclusion:

Conclusion:

It seems counter-intuitive - But Confessing our sin to God is a pathway to Joy. You may go through pain, but it leads to exuberant Joy.

In times of feeling distant with God, Confession does not distant you from God, but brings you closer to God.

Praying to Confess.

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 1-2, 36-43, 56, 59-61, 81, 87-90, 114, 126 Belgic Confession: Articles 18, 22, 23 Canons of Dort: Head II, Article 3; Head V, Article 7