God's Work Resulting In Rejoicing

Forgiveness And Sanctification

Read Psalm 32:1-2, “

1  Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2  Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

The blessing of God is different than the blessing of man, or of any man. When God blesses it is something of eternal nature. Eternal life, eternal pleasure that God has in a person because of something that pleases God. But the Scripture here says that the person who is forgiven, is blessed. The person who’s transgressions are covered, and will never be brought against them in condemnation again.

If God see’s a person as justified in his view, and without deceit. That is what matters, even if the situation in a persons’ life has accusing tongues, or even if the person himself has a sense of false guilt. These things are healed by looking to God.

We see here that it says “in whose spirit it no deceit”. God not only forgives, but he moves to sanctify. How do you get to a place, where you life is living in a way without sin as the domineering factor of your life? It is sanctification that does this. God’s intention, in this Psalm explains that blessedness does not just end with being forgiven, but also has the emphasis of sanctified living.

God’s Discipline and It’s Results

Read Psalm 32:3-7, “

3  For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5  I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6  Therefore let everyone who is godly

offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;

surely in the rush of great waters,

they shall not reach him.

7  You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

David is now referring back to where he felt his sins. He began the Psalm by explaining that there is blessedness in forgiveness. But he is referring back to his struggle to gain that sense of victory. He explained, that when his living transgressed, or contradicted his forgiven state, and seemingly did not confess his sins, he had God’s discipline in his life. His “bones wasted away”, he “groaned” and his strength was dried up.

But then, when the discipline of God had it’s toll, it led him to acknowledge his sin to God, and this confession brought about the healing of his soul, and the establishment of his continued forgiveness from God.

In trials, we always have an ultimatum from God. We always have a decision to make. We either believe, or disbelieve. We either confess and be restored, or we deny God. Trials, are either brought on ourselves because of sin, or because of God’s providence in purposing for us his will, and for us to agree to his will for our life.

Trials and what comes of them, bring threats to our lives, because it’s reality. We can be swept away in sin, in the world and into the darkness, but if we listen to God, we can be saved, established and sanctified. David chose life, and that is why he said “you preserve me from trouble, and surround me with shouts of deliverance!”

God Will Guide You In The Way For Your Life If you Let Him

Read Psalm 32: 8-11, “

8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

9  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

10  Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

11  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

God then speaks to David. He says to him that He will lead him, and he will teach him in the way that he should go. Sometimes the reason people do not have understanding and wisdom from God in the ways of God is that they have not humbled themselves. They do not want to be taught by God. They want to make God in their own mind, and follow the spirit of the world, and which is an idol of the mind. But to follow the truth, and to follow God, they have never come to humble themselves, even to listen to God and acknowledge the eternal true God.

That is why the Scripture here says “do not be stubborn like a mule or horse, without understanding”. God won’t pull you, as you resist stubbornly. His counsel comes to you, in a way that those who are truly believing and humble will respond with gentle reception of his words of direction.

Mind you, his words of direction will lead you out of your situations that threaten you, and will lead you into his life for you, and will bring deliverance. He knows the way.

The Psalm ends with explaining that those who take the road of sin. Those who fall prey to temptation, and resist the call of God, actually end up with many sorrows. Constant discontent, and always comparing themselves with others, and envying and fighting.

Contrasted with the righteous, and those who trust in God. That their lives have God’s steadfast love surrounding them, and that they are able to rejoice, and to be glad, to shout for joy, due to being in right spirit, having and upright heart.

Choose God, his ways are best!

God bless