Series Introduction: 

As fallen human-beings, we tend to forget things easily. We get distracted by the world around us and can only keep a few essential things in our minds at one time. But what happens when we forget God? I don't mean forgetting that He exists but forgetting to make Him a priority in our lives. Unfortunately, this happens to us more often than we'd like to admit. This forgetfulness is a product of our fallen nature, and the more we neglect God, the more we're likely to turn away from His character, covenant, and commands. This pattern of forgetfulness and disobedience is evident throughout the Old Testament, from Adam to the Kings of Israel, who all forgot God's goodness, promises, and instructions, leading to their downfall. 

God knows we're forgetful, so He calls us to remember Him and His works. We do this through personal devotions like daily prayer and reading scripture, as well as through special seasons of remembrance. Throughout the Bible, the Lord provides personal disciplines and times of remembrance and celebration to keep His character and deeds at the forefront of our minds. Lent is one such season, where Christians have traditionally set aside 40 days leading up to Easter to fast and focus on the Lord, His promises, and His redemptive work in Jesus Christ, which is the cornerstone of our faith.

During this holy season, we will be exploring the themes of Lent as expressed in the Psalms. Today, we begin with Psalm 32, which reminds us of the importance of confessing our sins and receiving God's merciful forgiveness. This Psalm guides us through the solemn journey of Lent, instilling hope and renewal in our hearts. So let us remember God and His goodness this Lenten season and seek His forgiveness and mercy with humility and repentance.

Scripture Reading: 

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 

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

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. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 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. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

- Psalm 32, ESV.

Opening Prayer:

Father God, as we gather today to learn from your teachings, we come before you with open hearts and minds. We are eager to understand your mercy and forgiveness and acknowledge our own shortcomings and the burden of unconfessed sins that weigh on us. During this season of Lent, remind us of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose love and mercy paved the way for our salvation. Help us to hear your voice and receive your words so that we may be transformed by your divine love. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Introduction: 

Psalm 32 extends a powerful invitation to all of us to experience true joy and peace by being reconciled with God. It reminds us that confessing our sins and seeking His forgiveness can lift the heavy burden of guilt from our hearts and bring spiritual relief and liberation. By being honest with ourselves and with God, we can open our hearts to His mercy and experience the freedom, joy, and peace that come with it. This Psalm reminds us that we can always turn to God with an open and contrite heart and that His mercy is ever available to us. In this way, Psalm 32 is a perfect psalm to begin the Lenten season. 

Understanding Sin and Its Consequences (Psalm 32:1-4)

The Psalm opens with a joyful declaration: 

"Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." (Psalm 32:1-2, ESV). 

These verses celebrate the act of being forgiven and also emphasize the importance of being honest with God. Being forgiven by God is a miraculous thing. It's not just about having our sins overlooked, but it's also about having them completely wiped out by God's kindness, no matter what we did. This means that our sins are not just forgiven but also forgotten, leaving no guilt or shame behind. When our sins are pardoned, they're gone, as if they never existed.

However, Psalm 32:2 introduces an important condition for experiencing God's blessings: being honest. This condition is important because it shows how important honesty and integrity are in our relationship with God. We can only experience God's blessings when we're truthful with ourselves and God. This doesn't just mean verbally confessing but humbly accepting our condition before God. Those who trust in God's mercy rather than their own righteousness are the ones who are truly blessed. They live honestly and with integrity and aren't afraid to admit their mistakes and shortcomings. They know that God's mercy is enough for them and rely on His grace to guide them.

David's plea for honesty and transparency with God invites us to be honest about our shortcomings and failures without fear of judgment. Confession isn't self-punishment but an act of humility, vulnerability, and trust in God's mercy and love. It's admitting that we can't save ourselves or earn God's favor, but we need His grace and forgiveness to be reconciled to Him and others.

Our confession and forgiveness frees us from the bondage of sin and deceit, allowing us to live in the freedom and joy of God's grace. It's a new beginning, a fresh start, and a second chance to walk in the light and have fellowship with God and others. As the Apostle John reminds us: 

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:7-9, ESV). 

It's important to remember that our past mistakes or failures don't define us. We find our identity in God's redeeming love and grace that is greater than all our sins. So, we should come to God with honesty and transparency, confessing our sins and receiving His forgiveness and grace. It is a sign of spiritual maturity to admit our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. In our weakness, His power is made perfect. It's also a sign of maturity to ask for help, support, and accountability. We need each other to grow and thrive as members of one body. As the Apostle James encouraged us: 

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV) 

Confessing our sins is not an easy task, as it requires us to sacrifice our pride on the altar of God's grace. Even David, whom God's Word describes as a man after God's own Heart, struggled with this process. However, refusing to confess our sins can have serious consequences. It's like drinking poison and rejecting the antidote. As David declared: 

"For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer." (Psalm 32:3-4, ESV).  

Make no mistake: sin is a destructive force that can cause physical, emotional, and spiritual decay. David's vivid description of his bones wasting away and vitality draining is a powerful reminder of this. However, confession offers a way out of this despair. By acknowledging our sins and embracing God's grace, we can initiate the process of healing and restoration. It is a liberating act that requires humility and sincerity, but the rewards are immeasurable. Indeed, the psalmist's experience is a testament to the boundless compassion of God, who is always ready to forgive and renew those who seek Him. 

Just as physical healing often involves confronting pain, spiritual healing through confession requires us to face the pain of our sins. It may be difficult to confront the truth about ourselves, but it is a necessary step towards restoration. The discomfort of confession paves the way for spiritual renewal, and it is a journey that is worth taking.

The Blessings of Forgiveness (Psalm 32:5)

When David kept silent, he remained under the heavy weight of sin and conviction, but in verse five we read: 

"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." (Psalm 32:5, ESV).

As David learned, confessing our sins to God is a liberating experience. Confession is more than just an apology; it is also about acknowledging the gravity of our wrongdoings and agreeing with God. 

We might be tempted to ask why confession is necessary for forgiveness. If God knows everything and can do anything, why must we confess our sins? Couldn't God just forgive us whether or not we confess? There is a problem with that type of thinking. Sin separates us from God, creating a barrier that disrupts our communion with Him. Forgiveness, therefore, is not just about the removal of sin's penalty but the restoration of a broken relationship. It is about coming home to the heart of our Father, who waits for us with open arms, ready to celebrate our return rather than condemn us for our guilt. If God were to pardon our sins without requiring confession, it would only enable the destructive behavior that harms ourselves and others and offends His holiness to continue forever. God is not just concerned with removing our guilt but also about restoring our holiness and right relationships.

Confession also helps us to see that, in being forgiven, we are no longer defined by our sins but by God's grace. God does not want us to simply be rebels who got away with it. He wants to transform us from rebels against God to righteous in His sight—not through our merit but through His mercy. Confession is a forsaking of the old identity and embracing a new identity that empowers us to live in freedom and purity, no longer enslaved to the patterns of sin that once dominated our lives.

This truth is at the heart of the Lenten season because the restoration and forgiveness brought about through confession is only possible because of the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ on our behalf. Let us remember that the gospel is not just about the forgiveness of sins but about entering into the joy of a life lived in communion with God. The psalmist's joyful declaration of forgiveness in Psalm 32 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, bridging the gap between Old Testament promise and New Testament fulfillment.

The Old Testament is teeming with promises of a suffering savior. This theme resonates through the sacrifices prescribed in Levitical law and the prophetic utterances about one who would bear the iniquities of many. 

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." (Leviticus 17:11, ESV).

This verse means that for sins to be truly forgiven, someone must shed their blood and die in place of the sinner. Likewise, the prophet Isaiah foresaw a suffering servant who would suffer and die for the sins of the people as the final sacrifice: 

"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5-6, ESV). 

These ritual sacrifices and prophetic utterances pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice for sin—Jesus Christ himself. Through the sacrificial system, with its requirement for blood to atone for sin, and the prophecies of a suffering savior, we see a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. Through his sacrifice, Christ provided a means through which sinners could be reconciled to God, not by their own merits but through faith in the One who fulfilled all righteousness on their behalf.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, expands on the role of Christ in our forgiveness. He teaches that Jesus "was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:25, ESV). The Apostle Paul also taught us that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV). 

The Path to Righteousness (Psalm 32:6-7)

Through confession, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of God's mercy. When we confess, God forgives us completely and immediately, freeing us from the burden of guilt and shame. This forgiveness gives us the strength and joy to move forward on our spiritual journey.

However, the benefits of confession do not stop there. Verses 6-7 remind us that when we confess our sins and receive forgiveness from God, we can stop seeing God as a fearfully righteous judge we must avoid and start seeing God as a loving Father who protects us and guides us through our lives. When we turn to Him with our sins, we find safety and security in His loving embrace. He is a source of comfort and strength, always there to help. 

Just as a good father is quick to embrace his child, regardless of the child's missteps, so too is our Heavenly Father swift to forgive us when we come to Him in confession. Imagine a child, having disobeyed, who hides in fear of punishment, reluctant to admit their wrongdoing. This child, much like us, often forgets that the Father's primary desire is not to punish but to love, protect, and guide. The reluctance to confess, driven by fear and shame, creates a barrier that keeps the child from experiencing the fullness of the Father's love and forgiveness.

In the same way, we, as God's children, sometimes hesitate to come before Him, fearing punishment or believing our sins are too great to be forgiven. Yet, the truth is that God's nature is fundamentally compassionate and forgiving. He does not wish for us to live in the shadows of guilt and shame but rather in the light of His grace. When we hold back from confessing our sins, we are not protecting ourselves; instead, we are denying ourselves the profound relief and peace that comes from being fully known and fully loved by God. We are opening ourselves up to danger rather than trusting in the loving strength of our Heavenly Father. 

Living in God's Grace (Psalm 32:8-11)

Not only does God promise to forgive, restore, and protect those who confess their sins and follow him, but Psalm 32:8-11 also reminds us of God's promise to instruct and teach us in the way we should go. This divine guidance is akin to a shepherd leading his sheep, ensuring they do not stray into danger but are led toward pastures of peace and abundance. It's a promise that God will not leave us to our own devices but will actively engage in our lives, offering wisdom that transcends human understanding and guidance that leads to life in its fullness.

The process of receiving and responding to God's instruction involves a humility that acknowledges our need for divine wisdom. It's an admission that, despite our best efforts, we are prone to wander and make choices that lead away from God's best for us. However, when we submit to God's guidance, we position ourselves to receive His protection, wisdom, and, ultimately, His peace.

To live in God's grace, then, is to live in constant awareness of our dependence on Him for direction, wisdom, and protection. It is to walk in a posture of humility and trust, seeking His will in all things and following His ways even when they diverge from our plans or understanding. It is to experience the joy of being led by the Creator of the universe, who knows our end from our beginning and has plans for us that are for our good and His glory.

The encouragement in verse 9 to not be like the horse or mule, which lacks understanding and must be controlled with bit and bridle, serves as a metaphor for the stubborn-hearted who refuse to come willingly to God. Instead, the psalmist invites us to come freely, with understanding and trust, into the safety of God's guidance. Trusting in the Lord means more than acknowledging His existence; it involves a deep-seated confidence in His goodness, His promises, and His love, even in the face of life's uncertainties. It is this trust that transforms our relationship with God from one of fear and obligation to one of love and joy.

Conclusion:

As we close our meditation on Psalm 32, let us hold tightly to the gospel of forgiveness, which is the foundation of a repentant sinner's joy. The Psalm concludes by commanding us to "be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:11, ESV). The marvel of our faith is that our sins, once a barrier to our relationship with the Holy, are covered and washed away. Despite our sins being grievous to God, His arms remain open, ready to embrace us with pardon and forgiveness the moment we return to Him with genuine hearts of confession.

It is foolish to keep our confessions hidden, as such hesitation only causes distress in the heart of the believer and leads to eternal despair for the non-believer. Trying to hide our wrongdoings from an all-knowing God is completely useless. However, once we stop making excuses and admit our guilt to Him, we experience the incomprehensible peace of His forgiveness.

Therefore, let us come to God with open hearts, ready to confess our sins and receive the boundless grace that He offers. The season of Lent offers us a special opportunity to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ, the ultimate expression of God's love and mercy towards us. Let us be a people who are quick to confess, eager to receive God's forgiveness, and joyful in the salvation that is ours through Christ Jesus. In Him, we find not only forgiveness but also the strength to live lives that reflect His righteousness and love.

Closing Prayer

Father God, thank you for the fellowship and for the truths revealed to us through Your Word. We are grateful for the gift of confession that allows us to receive Your mercy. Help us to live openly and honestly before You, embracing the discipline of confession. Guide us through this Lenten season and beyond so that we may walk in the light of Your grace. We thank You for Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, without which none of this would have been possible. Strengthen us to be bearers of Your love and mercy, and may our lives reflect Your righteousness and love. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.