Breakthrough in Forgiveness - Psalm 32 - January 13, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – Breakthrough in Forgiveness – January 13, 2008

This is lesson two (2) in our series “Experience a Breakthrough.”

Our scripture is Psalm 32:1-11.

Last week’s lesson introduces this new series. If this is your first lesson, then you need to study the lesson for January 6, 2008.

The Bible is GOD revealing Himself to mankind in an ever ascending manner culminating with the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of HIS ONLY SON JESUS. Once JESUS had completed HIS mission on earth, HE sat down at the right hand of the FATHER and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to earth to indwell all believers.

In the Psalms, David is expressing his experiences with GOD. It is good for us to learn what others have experienced and we can be comforted by their experiences. But the key is, what have we learned and experienced through our relationship with GOD through CHRIST?

You will notice that the word “Selah” is used in this Psalm. Scholars think that “Selah” is a musical term used to:
(1) Signal an interlude, such as a pause in the reading while musical instruments continue to play.
(2) Used as the equivalent of “Amen” to separate the sections of the writings.
(3) An acrostic to signal a change in voices or to repeat.

David shares with us through Psalm 32 what he has learned from GOD regarding forgiveness. Bible scholars believe David wrote Psalm 32 after he wrote Psalm 51. Both Psalms reflect what went on internally in David’s life after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed. It was a form of testimony. David tried to hide his sin and go on with life as if nothing had happened. The story of his affair is recorded in 2 Samuel Chapters 11 and 12. Psalm 32 reflects David’s internal struggle with himself during the period he refused to confess his sin and the turmoil un-confessed sin had on his life.

In Psalms David is expressing his experience with GOD. David’s experience is a result of his relationship with GOD, which led him to a deeper knowledge of GOD and into a more intimate relationship. Our relationship with GOD is dynamic and our knowledge of HIM grows each day. So how do we have and maintain a relationship with GOD? JESUS tells us in John 15:5:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.

Abiding in HIM is the beginning of building a relationship. The key is “remains”. Salvation is the beginning but it is the decision of all believers whether or not we remain in the relationship on a daily basis. This does not mean a believer looses his or her salvation but it does mean that there are a number of things that can cause us to compromise our relationship with HIM – our attitude, disappointment, our flesh, doubt, not spending time talking to JESUS, failure to read the Bible, un-confessed sin and the list goes on and on.

In John 15:5 JESUS is telling all believers that HE is the source of all our spiritual nourishment, vitality and sustenance. When we allow the flesh to rob us of our connection to the vine, JESUS, we can do nothing. This is why maintaining our relationship with JESUS is vital. It is through our relationship on a daily basis that we are fed spiritual food, grow and mature spiritually.

David did not have the benefit of the knowledge that we have today through the Bible. He had some of the Old Testament scriptures and he was anticipating the day that the Messiah would come to earth. Today we are blessed to have the knowledge of JESUS and celebrate HIS birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension today. Because of HIM, believers can experience forgiveness and the fullness of CHRIST in them through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. What a privilege we have!!!

Let’s read Psalm 32:1-2:

1 How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2 How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit!

The words used here describe a person agonizing over his or her sin with a sense there is no forgiveness. Then there is a breakthrough and the person receives complete forgiveness. The burden of sin is lifted and the joy they receive from this knowledge is overwhelming. Their sin has been completely blotted out, removed, buried in the deepest part of the sea never to rise up again. The person’s confessed sin is gone forever!

Does this not bring absolute joy to your heart! Today we know that JESUS paid the price for our sins and our sins are covered by HIS shed blood. We have been washed white a snow. We have direct access to GOD through CHRIST. We are GOD’S children through the miracle of rebirth.

The last part of verse 2, “in whose spirit is no deceit” is precious. When a person is secure in his or her relationship with someone he or she knows, he or she can go to that person and confess things they have done wrong without fear of this friend turning his or her back on him or her. This friend may not like or condone what has been done but their relationship will be secure.

This is what David is expressing. A person does not neglect confessing his or her sins to GOD. He or she does so with a broken heart. It is not an attitude of “Oh gee, I did it again so let’s move on.” But it is with a broken heart the person feels free to confess his or her sin to GOD with the confidence that he or she will be forgiven. But the person does so with the desire and intent not do it again and with a desire to become more righteous. This is the Old Testament revelation of David’s desire and GOD’S desire for mankind to become more righteous. Let’s fast forward to what JESUS did for all believers.

The New Testament tells us in 1 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When we ask JESUS to forgive us of our sins and to come into our heart, in essence, our sin is poured into CHRIST and HIS righteousness is poured into us. Our sin placed CHRIST on the cross. We maintain our right to choose what we will do on a daily basis. Do we choose to yield our will to GOD each day and seek to build a more intimate, loving relationship with HIM and obediently serve HIM as HE guides us? Through this relationship our desire is to reflect more of HIM and less of us. As we empty ourselves of self or the rule of the flesh in our lives and allow HIM to control more of us, then we naturally reflect more of HIM. It is vital that we allow HIM to do the work in us and not us working in our own strength to reflect more of HIM. When we work according to our own agenda we will become weary. Rest in HIM and let HIM direct you to the things HE wants you to do.

Even in this intimate relationship with HIM, we will sin. Grace covers all of our sin but GOD wants us to be open and honest with HIM. HE wants us to confess all of our sin because HIS desire for us is to be righteous and in essence this is our desire as well. Confession of our sins is never casual or flippant. This is what David had learned because he had experienced this forgiveness and it brought joy to his soul.

Let’s read Psalm 32:3-7:

3 When I kept silent,[1] Probably a reference to a refusal to confess sin my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained[2] Hb obscure as in the summer’s heat.• Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.Selah 6 Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found.[3] Lit time of finding When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.Selah

Again, this is what David had learned from his experience. When David did not confess his sins, by keeping silent, it affected him to the very core of his being. He groaned all day long because he was depressed and was lifeless. The word “groaned” carries the meaning of “roaring like a lion” or “screaming” as in pain. A roaring lion is a hungry lion and needs to be satisfied.

David was keeping his sin to himself and he was one miserable person. GOD’S hand was heavy upon him. He was limp as a dish rag, completely drained of all his strength.

Have you ever worked outside in the hot sun and been completely drained of your strength? If so, you know how David felt – zapped of all energy. His sin had completely consumed him, all because he was stubborn and prideful. David was about as low as one can go.

David then confessed his sin to GOD and oh what a relief it was!!! The burden of guilt was lifted and the joy of the LORD flooded his soul. He was free from the burden of sin and he hoped that all people who were burdened with the guilt of sin would do the same thing so they could experience this same freedom.

Only GOD can take away your sins and lift you above the floodwaters of guilt when they come rushing into your lives.

Verse 7 is a verse that Ms. Corrie ten Boon held onto during World War II. The title of the book she wrote telling about these times is “The Hiding Place.”

David knew the comfort a secure hiding place can give a person when they have been in the heat of a battle. He wanted all to find this special hiding place in our LORD.

David ends this section with a shout of praise!

Have you experienced this same freedom by confessing all your sins to GOD? If not, now is a good time to settle that matter. If you have never invited JESUS into your heart, ask him to forgive you of your sins and to come into your heart right now! HE will set you free from the burden and guilt of all your sins.

Let’s read Psalm 32:8-11:

8 I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with My eye on you, I will give counsel. 9 Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle, or else it will not come near you. 10 Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

There are two (2) schools of thought on this section of scripture:

(1) David is praying to GOD telling HIM that since he has been through this ordeal of discovery, he has the credentials to instruct others and to help them. Other Bible translations reflect this interpretation.
(2) GOD is speaking to David in verses 8 and 9. Verses 10 and 11 reflect David’s prayer to GOD. The Holman translation reflects this interpretation. Notice the letter “M” in the word “My” is capitalized. This is my choice.

David understands what it means to be stubborn like a mule. The scripture tells us that stubbornness is like sin. It keeps us from fellowship with GOD.

1Samuel 15:23: (King James Version)
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

GOD reminds David that a stubborn horse or mule will not come near you unless you have a bit in its mouth. GOD is telling David, don’t be like that because a bit is very uncomfortable and that is not the relationship I want to have with you. I want you to come to ME because of our relationship, not because I force you.

This is why GOD does not force any human to accept JESUS as their Savior. GOD’S role in salvation is to draw all humans to Himself. We present the good news of CHRIST to others as GOD leads us. GOD is THE ONE to bring that person to a point of decision whether or not to acceptance or rejection CHRIST.

David acknowledged that the wicked will experience many pains because David had experienced this pain and agony. David was one miserable person until he confessed his sins and GOD lifted the burden of his sin. Those who refuse to seek forgiveness will remain in their pain but those who confess their sin to GOD will receive HIS forgiveness. The righteous know GOD and can experience the peace that passes all understanding.

David experienced the freedom of the forgiveness of his sins. Have you experienced this same freedom from the forgiveness of your sins? If so, praise HIM for HIS love and forgiveness. If not, then confess your sins to HIM now and ask CHRIST to forgive you and to come into your life.