Psalms 32
God forgives our transgressions and guides us through life's struggles when we acknowledge our sin and seek Him.
Chuck Smith explores Psalm 32, emphasizing the blessings of forgiveness and the burdens of unconfessed sin. He highlights the importance of acknowledging our transgressions and the relief that comes from confession, contrasting the heaviness of silence with the joy of God's forgiveness. Smith illustrates that while we may face trials and sorrows, God provides strength and guidance through them, urging us not to resist His instruction. Ultimately, he reassures that true peace comes from a spirit free of guile and a heart open to God's voice.
Text
Intro: Experienced in this Psalm we have (sin bitterness, burden-conviction) (sorrow-floods
of great water, prison) (silence - ignorance of God's way, God's voice silent).
I. "O THE BLESSINGS OF TRANSGRESSION FORGIVEN, AND SIN COVERED."
A. Hebrew word "transgression" actual willful wrongdoing.
B. "Sin" missing the mark.
1. Not a day passes that I do not sin - not willfully but a coming
short - missing the mark.
2. Psalm opens and closes with doxology - they are linked.
C. "Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose
spirit there is no guile."
1. The man acquitted before the judge.
a. The condition of acquittal "in whose spirit there
is no guile."
b. Cannot have second blessing apart from first.
c. Psalm written in shadow of cross.
2. "The Lord imputeth not iniquity."
a. Not "his neighbor imputeth not."
3. Shut up to God as judge.
4. What is guile?
a. Deceit, seeking to hide.
b. No man can practice guile in God's presence.
1. Try to argue some evil thing not so evil.
2. Try to excuse our sin.
c. When we recognize and face our sin & confess then there is
forgiveness.
II. SORROW "WHEN I KEPT SILENCE, MY BONES WAXED OLD."
A. Trying to hide sin from God.
1. Down deep know something wrong - tried to hide.
2. My moisture was turned into the draught of summer.
3. "Day and night thy hand was heavy upon me" God does not let us rest
short of submission.
B. "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid."
1. How quick God is to forgive.
a. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and
thou forgavest the iniquity.
b. The moment I made up my mind God met me. Before confession
actually made forgiveness had taken place.
II. SORROW.
A. "Great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him."
1. Apparent contradiction.
2. Man in midst of overflowing waters.
B. Not keep me from trouble, but preserve me in it.
C. No deliver me or keep me from prison but give me songs in prison.
D. Not immune from sorrow but triumphant over.
Ill. SILENCE.
A. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way God dealing with perplexed soul.
Sorrow of silence greatest when we hear no voice."
B. "Do not be a mule!"
1. He wants to guide us by other methods. If we refuse guidance then
bit necessary.
Sermon Outline
- O THE BLESSINGS OF TRANSGRESSION FORGIVEN, AND SIN COVERED
- SORROW
- SILENCE
- A points: - Sorrow of silence greatest when we hear no voice - He wants to guide us by other methods
- B points: - Do not be a mule! - If we refuse guidance then bit necessary
- C points: - Shut up to God as judge - What is guile?
Key Quotes
“Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” — Chuck Smith
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way God dealing with perplexed soul.” — Chuck Smith
“Do not be a mule!” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We must acknowledge our sin to God in order to receive forgiveness.
- God guides us through life's struggles, even when we are in a state of silence.
- We must be willing to listen to God's guidance and not resist it.