Bible Study - Storm (3) - The Shelter of GOD'S Forgiveness - Psalm 32:1-7 - December 21, 2014

Bible Study – Storm (3) – The Shelter of GOD’S Forgiveness – December 21, 2014

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “Storm Shelter: Psalms of GOD’S Embrace.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 32:1-7.

GOD’S forgiveness brings restoration and joy.

The writer of this psalm was King David. We are not sure at what point in his life he wrote the psalm. We are not sure what specific event in his life caused him to pen these words. It could have been any number of events in David’s life because he had done a number of things for which he was remorseful. His sin with Bathsheba and having her husband, Uriah, put into a position to be killed. David conducted a census when GOD told him not to. His disobedience resulted in a severe plague coming upon the people. David lived in a hostile environment.

2 Samuel 24:10:

10 David’s conscience troubled him after he had taken a census of the troops. He said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s • guilt.”

Since the psalm was not specific to a certain sin, makes it applicable to anyone, male or female for any unconfessed sin in his or her life. We have the opportunity to see David’s struggle and the conclusion he comes to. The psalm allows us to read our own circumstance or situation into the psalm and wrestle with GOD. Once we have come to the conclusion GOD desires for us, we can experience the shelter of GOD’S forgiveness, which is overwhelming as we see in the opening verses of Psalm 32.

Let’s read Psalm 32:1-2:

The Joy of Forgiveness Davidic. A • Maskil.

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

This is the first time the word “Maskil” was used in a psalm. It is thought that the word comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to make wise” or “instruct.” The word may refer to a general title for a contemplative poem, which is a psalm that needs to be pondered. It is in the pondering that GOD reveals truth because we seek truth. The person pondering still needs to decide what he or she will do with the revealed truth.

David began his psalm with a general statement. He does not say that he is the person but his statements imply that he has experienced this. When a heavy burden is lifted it gives the person carrying such a heavy burden great relief.
 

The King James Version of Psalm 32 begins with “Blessed is he.” “Blessed” means “how blessed” or “how joyful” which is how JESUS began the “Sermon on the Mount.” We know the Sermon on the Mount as the “beatitudes.”

Joy and happiness does not come from favorable circumstances but comes from an intimate, personal relationship with GOD. When a person knows there is nothing, such as unconfessed sin, failure to obediently serve GOD or anything to bock his or her relationship with GOD, he or she enjoys the fullness of the presence of GOD. There is nothing which comes between you and GOD. There are no hidden secrets but all of your life is laid bare before GOD. Some of it may not be pretty but none-the-less you have confessed it before GOD and asked HIM to forgive you. When a person asks for forgiveness, it includes the determination to stop and go in the direction which is pleasing to GOD.

We know in 1 John 1:9-10, the Apostle John wrote:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

JESUS gave HIS life that all who place their faith in HIM will know that their sins are forgiven and they will stand before GOD as righteous before GOD.

The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 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.

Christians sin and they are to confess their sins and repent. GOD’S part is to forgive, cleanse and restore. GOD knows the hearts of every person and responds accordingly. If a person is playing a game and sins with the expectation of confessing them sometime and GOD forgiving him or her, may be in for a rude awaking, which David alludes to in verse 6.

Transgression refers to “acts of rebellion.” A person who is a transgressor is breaking away from authority. Forgiven means to “lift up” or to “take away.” Only GOD can lift the burden of sin and completely eradicate it by the shed blood of CHRIST. We need to keep in mind that the shed blood of CHRIST reached back as well as forward to cover all who place their faith in the coming Messiah.

Covered means to hide or conceal. Most of us attempt to hide or conceal our sins but sin cannot be hidden from GOD.
   

Let’s read Psalm 32:3-5:

3 When I kept silent, 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 as in the summer’s heat. • Selah

David makes this psalm personal in these verses. 

When he tried to hide or not confess his transgressions and sins, he felt the weight of his wrong doing. Note he did not identify what he had done. Not confessing his transgressions and sins became such a heavy burden that he could not bear it. He groaned or made a roaring sound because GOD did not let him rest from such a heavy unconfessed burden. His bones screamed out from having to bear such a heavy burden. The heavy burden was the weight of unconfessed transgressions and sins. Consider having to carry a load that you can barely pick up and carry it for 24/7. It is painful and your heart’s desire is to get rid of it. It becomes a part of your life from which you cannot escape.

The word “strength” carries the idea of a twisted tongue due to the lack of moisture. I picture a person who has an extremely dry mouth and his or her tongue is sticking to the roof of his or her mouth. The words of David paint a picture of a person whose strength has been drained because of the heavy burden he or she is carrying, his or her mouth is parched due to the hot summer’s heat, his or her bones are screaming for relief and he or she cannot find relief. This person needs to have his or her burden lifted, water, the cool shade and rest to meet his or her physical needs. Only GOD can meet our Spiritual needs through faith in CHRIST. Even Christians need to have their Spiritual burdens lifted.

The inclusion of the word “Selah” is not clear but it is reasonable that it was a musical term. It likely served as a pause or a musical interlude. It gives those singing or reciting the psalm an opportunity to pause, reflect, pray, confess or ponder as GOD reveals burdens and truth in their lives.

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

So what was the solution to relieving oneself of such unconfessed transgression and sins? ACKNOWLEDGE IT TO GOD!!!

David bared it all to GOD. He did not hold back. He did not conceal any sin or transgression. When he did, GOD took away the guilt of his sin. The refreshing water of forgiveness hydrated his Spirit. Remember JESUS offers us living water but so often we fail to reach out to receive that which HE offers.

Now pause “Selah” and ponder such power and magnificence that only can come from GOD. Man is powerless to lift and “take away” the burden of transgressions and sins. But JESUS did.

Let’s read Psalm 32:6-7:

6 Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. 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

David admonished all who were weighted down by the burden of transgressions and sins and were faithful to GOD to pray to HIM and confess them to GOD while HE could be found. We need to explore the statement, “at a time YOU may be found.”

Does this mean that there will be a time when GOD will not be available? GOD, throughout the ages, has warned all people and nations of impending doom, unless they repent. When HE withdraws HIS protective hand, doom follows. A person can remove themselves from GOD’S protective care by the hardening his or her heart toward GOD. They may conclude that it is too late or they may be angry with GOD that HE is taking action against them. GOD never leaves but we can leave HIM.

While a person’s heart is tender toward GOD, he or she needs to acknowledge HIM and seek HIS forgiveness. It takes an act of the will to come into the presence of GOD to seek forgiveness. The danger is that we tend to put it off. Our hearts may become hard toward GOD because of unconfessed sin. Unconfessed sin places a barrier between us and GOD. GOD appeals to all people but there comes a time when we cut ourselves from HIM due to the hardness of our hearts.

Seek GOD while HE may be found. David gives a promise when we do. When trouble comes into our lives, HE shepherds us through those troubling times and HE will never leave us or forsake us. It does not mean that we will not experience trouble but trouble will not over take us when we look to HIM. The word “trouble” can refer to narrow or tight places.

We all find ourselves in tight situations just by living. 

JESUS spoke a parable in Matthew 7:24-27:

24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!”

Is your foundation built upon JESUS, the rock?

David used the term “YOU are my hiding place.” Do you recall who wrote a book entitled “The Hiding Place?” It was Ms Corrie Ten Boom. JESUS had to be her hiding place because trouble came when during World War II, the German soldiers came looking for the Jews they were hiding in their home. The Germans eventually discovered what they were doing and arrested them. My wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Corrie when she came to Spartanburg many years ago.
 

Selah. It is time to pause and ponder
.

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.

Stubbornness is a barrier to building the right relationship with GOD and obediently serving HIM. GOD knows human nature because HE made us. HIS desire is for every human to seek HIM and build a personal relationship with HIM. When we place our trust in HIM, HE will lead, guide and direct us according to HIS plan and purpose.

Do we want a relationship with GOD such that HE has to guide us like a stubborn horse or mule? Or do we want a relationship with HIM such that we are in an intimate, loving, dynamic partnership/relationship? When we have built the right relationship with GOD, we have HIS faithful love surrounding and caring for us. A right relationship produces trust and we can shout for joy in all situations because of GOD’S protective care.

The Apostle Peter wrote in 1 Peter 5:6-7:

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV)

Earth is not our final destination. This life upon earth is precious but it is temporary and prepares us for eternal life with CHRIST and GOD. GOD cares for each of us and HIS desire is for us to have such an intimate relationship with HIM that the things of earth pale in comparison to our final destination. That is why we can shout for joy! Heaven is the destination of every Christian. Are you a Christian? Have you placed your faith in CHRIST? If not, you can ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and for HIM to come into your life. Salvation is just the beginning of an awesome journey with GOD through faith in CHRIST. Blessings!!!