FORGIVEN, FOR REAL!

READ PSALM 32

“TILL SIN BE BITTER, CHRIST WILL NOT BE SWEET”

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.

Growing up, one of my favorite Old Testament men was David, probably because of having the same name. His story is amazing: from shepherd to warrior, from youngest boy in his family to king, able to kill ferocious animals to protect his sheep, willing to face a giant to prove the reputation of his Lord, a man whom God recognized as having a heart dedicated to Him. Anyone would want to emulate him! Yet, he is also the man remembered for committing adultery and killing the man whose wife he had sinfully made pregnant.

As I have read his story over the years, I have often reflected that David’s godly qualities have been overshadowed by his sin and the sorrow it brought to him and his family. And yet, his life also teaches us some important truths.

David learned the privilege of being forgiven by God. He knew very well the reality of not being able to fix the consequences of his sin, but learned to rest instead in the grace of God. We know that it was not God’s intention to shame David forever, but to glorify Himself through David’s life.

All the amazing things that David did as a child and as a king were done with the power of God. The main character in those narratives was never David, but always the all-powerful God Whom he worshiped.

We have a merciful God, Who loves to forgive. In this psalm, too, the main character is again the Lord Himself. Only the God of the Bible shows mercy and grace to a notorious sinner. David uses three terms to describe his offences to God. ‘Transgression’ describes his rebellion, ‘sin’ describes his failure, his inability to hit the target, and his ‘iniquity’ is his perversion.

God forgives all confessed sin. David does not leave anything out. All that is contrary to God can be forgiven and those who experience forgiveness are truly blessed. When his sins are mercifully covered by God, a man can return to fellowship with the God he has offended. A forgiven man is no longer under judgment.

God continues to use David in our lives. Realizing that David was able to write about his forgiveness and to recognize that he was blessed is an amazing blessing for us, as well. For God chose to use even this man who had committed grave sins to tell of His mercy and to proclaim God-inspired psalms.

You probably have seen the words that Thomas Watson penned: “Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” How true!

Paul wrote these words to Timothy:

1Timothy 1:15-16

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 

Paul, too, recognized the depth and gravity of his sin, but also the perfect patience and grace of Christ. In the next few devotionals, we will see the need for repentance, in order to receive this amazing forgiveness. But for now, I hope that we can embrace some important truths:

• God is merciful and patient, and displays His grace by forgiving the penitent sinners.
• Forgiveness is an undeserved gift of God.
• Man cannot offer anything in exchange.
• God’s forgiveness of our sins results from His grace, alone.

Have you stopped to think about what blessed people do? They are certainly joyful and grateful! They certainly will love God and others! They will certainly show mercy and forgiveness to others!

Luke 7:47

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 

The sinful woman loved much because she recognized the greatness of her sin.

If you have been forgiven, then your life should show it. Your forgiveness is dependent only upon your willingness to confess your sin and to change your ways, with God’s help.

David was not blessed because he had forgotten his sin, or minimized it. He was not blessed because he had forgiven himself. He was blessed because his multiple offences to God had, although very serious, been covered by God.

My prayer is that we would know the seriousness of sin and the forbearance of God, Who covers it patiently with mercy and does not hold it against those who believe in Him!