Sermon Central
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God's Intimate Love Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jun 1, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: Psalm 32:1-4: The psalmist David as a man who had gone through all blessings in his life. Here, he expresses his deep experiences with sin and iniquity; and their vitality in the damaging totality of personality of human beings.
Psalm 32 - GOD’S INTIMACY
I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If, God willing throughout this month of June 2020, we would meditate under the theme “Restoration”. Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 are tuned together. This psalm titled ‘Maschil’ refers to the instruction and didactic. This psalm was a favorite to St Augustine. I would like to share three thoughts from this Psalm: Human Iniquity, Saints integrity, and God's intimacy.
1. Human iniquity (Psalm 32:1-4)
Psalm 32:1-4: The psalmist David as a man who had gone through all blessings in his life. Here, he expressed his deep experiences with sin and iniquity; and their vitality in the damaging totality of personality of human beings. The psalmist uses words 'Transgressions, Sins, and Deceits' to indicate the iniquity (Psalm 32:1-2).
Transgression is crossing the line, sin is missing the mark, iniquity is of crookedness and distortion. God deals with us according to our Transgressions, Sins, and Wickedness. He will not keep silent and mum over the disobedience and demean activities of men (Psalm 32:3-4). We cannot cover up our iniquities and live a happy life. The conscience constantly wounds us and shrink our walk and talk. So better confess the transgressions and guilt (Psalm 32: 5).
Iniquity can disfigure the image and likeness of God and sadden the indwelling Holy Spirit. It can defraud you, lead you to do dehumanized activities, and to disgrace. It can make you behave almost like an animal. So, ‘he pleads to God to wash all his iniquities’ (Psalm 51:2).
We all are turning to our normal life activities after COVID-19 lockdown not because we have succeeded it, but we have learned to live with Corona. At the same time, we need not worry to live with Sin, Disappointments, and discouragements. We are blessed to have a God who is very close to all of us and he is a great Redeemer.
Forgiveness of sin is given to all those who confess their iniquity to God (Acts 26:18). The scar of Sin is so powerful and stays within you till you do plastic surgery with the Scar of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Iniquities and intimidated matters; and presumptuous sins are to be confessed to God without hiding, without diluting makes holy and acceptable to God. The justification is God’s act of right and mercy. He forgives our transgressions; He doesn’t count our sins, however, the response has to come from us. This is both ways (Psalms 32:1-2).
Charles Spurgeon: “We are not pardoned that we may henceforth live after our lusts, but that we may be educated in holiness and trained for perfection.”
Personal Story: When I was young, I traveled to a Local Train from Egmore station to St Thomas Mount, Chennai. I purchased a second class ticket. But I was traveling in the First Class compartment. TTE found me and took me to his office at Guindy, he made me Pay fine. Then, I asked him, “Sir, Shall I now travel in First Class?" He said, "if you have more money to pay as fine, you can."
The concealment on iniquity leads to more disgrace, more poverty of Joy, and peace (Genesis 3:8). Achan concealed the sin but was not lived with it very long (Joshua 7:21). It is a great curse to hide our plans, sins, and wickedness (Isaiah 29:15). Woe to those who are heaping sin upon sin (Isaiah 30:1). God will bring every deed into judgment (Ecclesiasticus 12:14). We can’t keep quiet; we can’t keep silent. Acknowledging our state, our place with God is very important and unquestionable.
2. Saints integrity (Psalm 32: 5-7)
Psalm 32:5-7: Godly person acknowledges his sin, iniquity; and confesses to God. Not covering up anything but disclosing the secret sins, evil actions, and repenting from them. He is called a holy one and a saint (Expanded Bible); My lies and my evil deeds (The Voice Bible).
Psalmist brings a new dimension to human life. Saint is the one who believes the name of Jesus Christ, washed by the blood of Jesus Christ (John 1:29). Saint always confesses all his known and unknown sins. He becomes a Saint. Paul uses this word very often to mention and refer to those believers who lived in the early Church (Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1). Book of Revelation mentions the word Saints to refer to the Martyrs and all those who kept their purity and faith (Revelation 5:8, 19:8).
Our iniquities are before the Lord (Psalm 90:8) even it precedes our prayers, praises, and offerings. Sin will find us (Numbers 32:23). But always take courage and remember the Living words of the Holy Bible and believe them. “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).