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 31
When we have sinned against God, we must experience true brokenness and repentance before we are qualified to help others. In Psalms 51, David confessed his twin sins of adultery and murder and pleaded for forgiveness and restoration to fellowship with his Creator. Psalm 32, David was looking back and describing what happened as a result of his repentant spirit described in
Psalm 51:12-13–Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
Some think that God spoke to David in Psalm 32:8, but according to Psalm 51, David’s words are subject to teaching. This verse implies he had repented and was fulfilling his vow to God with a sense of freedom in his conscience: I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel (8).
Regardless of whether God was speaking to David or if David was speaking to others…God can use the results of failure in our lives to help others to avoid those same sinful actions. When we study the Bible, we see God demonstrated this in Paul’s life. As Paul wrote to Timothy, he identified himself as the worst of sinners, implying that if God could forgive him, God could forgive anyone.
Blessings–Pastor Christopher
- How can you use your forgiveness to minister to others?
- Why is it never a good idea to rationalize engaging in sin?
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