We are So Grateful!
A change of sermon scripture to reflect Mission Sunday meant that this week’s Devo was written on another Psalm. So today, we consider the earlier published scripture: Psalm 32, Thankful for Forgiveness.

Sermon Title: Forgiveness
Scripture: Psalm 32 (NIV)

Contributed by Nancy Buschart

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. —Psalm 32:1

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Ps 32:1-2). When have you known yourself truly forgiven? The Psalmist uses the word “Blessed.” Happy, contented, relieved “is the one whose transgressions are forgiven.” Do these words describe your own experience of forgiveness?

But repentance can be hard. The psalmist describes what it’s like when we know we have sinned but can’t bring ourselves to true repentance. “When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long” (Ps 32:3). Bones wasting away might look like irritability, anxiety, or lashing out at others. A short fuse may actually be a guilty conscience. Unrepentance that is older, longer lived in our stories, might look like a hard heart or a defended and defensive persona.

True repentance, however, is such a relief for the burdened soul. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Ps 32:5).

We are stubborn creatures. For some reason, we find ourselves defensive against admission of wrongdoing. Our shame makes us want to deflect responsibility and blame others. We want to deny guilt and claim innocence. “Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him” (Ps 32:9-10).

So out of his own experience of repentance and forgiveness, the psalmist then instructs the people.
“Therefore let all the faithful pray to you [God] while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Ps 32:6-7).

Is it easier to ask forgiveness for wrongs committed before God or to ask forgiveness of people in our lives? Which comes first: admission of wrong toward God? Or admission of wrong toward our spouse, children, parents, friends? When we sin against others, we sin against God. When we break trust with God, we also break trust with others. The forgiveness I receive from God is the forgiveness I have to extend to others. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Eph 4:31-32). Jesus came to bring forgiveness for our sins. It cost him his life so that the righteousness of Christ might be received by God’s unrighteous people.

However, saying “I’m sorry” may not be true repentance. We may simply be wanting to alleviate discomfort between ourselves and another and to get back to an easier time. What God wants, and what others want to see, is heart-sorrow—true repentance for the wrongs we have done. The Lord always responds with unfailing love and forgiveness when we come to him in heart-sorrow. Rather than rushing toward a quick “I’m sorry,” consider this progression toward true forgiveness that rekindles relationship with God and with others.
I’m sorry for

Great joy is found in being forgiven. The psalmist ends saying, “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Ps 32:11).

Consider –

╬ Do you have a story that is reflected in Psalm 32? Was there a time when your “bones wasted away” because of stubborn refusal to admit wrongdoing? What did that stubborn refusal cost you?

╬ To engage the forgiveness progression above requires humility. Would you be willing to try out the forgiveness progression? Give it a try—first before God, and then before the people in your life.

╬ Lord, thank you for your unfailing love. You are eager to forgive us when we come in heart sorrow, in repentance. Forgive us our sins, even as we forgive those who sin against us. Thank you, Jesus. In your name we pray. Amen.