Psalm 32: Forgiveness-Supplication through the Scriptures

Psalm 32

Forgiveness 

He is blessed indeed who has a substitute to stand for him to whose account all his debts may be set down.

C.H.Spurgeon

“As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm‬ ‭103:12‬). These amazing words have offered much comfort and hope to many who have struggled with the weight and guilt of sin. While this wonderful gift has come to us freely by grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, it was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. Part of our response of gratitude to such grace is to pursue holiness because He is holy. But even after salvation, we still struggle with indwelling sin. It is a healthy habit to come to the Lord and say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). When He brings our sin to our attention, we need to confess and turn from that sin, rest in His forgiveness, and walk in a manner worthy of the God who has called us into His kingdom. Psalm 32 guides us to forsake sin and rejoice in our Savior.

The Blessedness of Forgiveness

32:1-2 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. 

Let’s pray:

▫️We would be thankful and rejoice in the blessedness of the forgiveness of our sin because Christ has secured our salvation by His death and resurrection, which we have embraced by faith.

▫️We would rest in Christ’s righteousness imputed to us and our sin imputed to Him on the cross. 

▫️We would understand the gracious gift we have been given, that with His own blood, Christ has entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained for us eternal redemption, and His blood has cleansed our conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:12,14).

▫️We would praise God that He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).

▫️We would understand and live in the truth that there is now no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Confession and Forgiveness

32:3-7 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 

Let’s pray:

▫️We would not let sin reign in our bodies to obey it in its lusts, because sin should not have dominion over us (Romans 6:12-14).

▫️The Lord would bring to our attention any sin we are harboring, excusing, hiding, or ignoring. 

▫️The Lord’s hand would be heavy on us until we are obedient to Him in confessing  and repenting of the sins we love. What sin are you clinging to? What are you making excuses about? 

▫️God would help us acknowledge our sins to Him, not covering it up, but confessing and receiving His forgiveness because He has promised if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9).

▫️We would be among the godly who offer up prayer to the King of kings, at the right time, which is quickly and without delay.

▫️The Lord would be a hiding place for us, preserve us from trouble, and surround us with shouts of deliverance, deliverance from our own sinful desires and the ensnarement it brings.

Gladness in the Lord

32:8-11 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!

Let’s pray:

▫️The Sovereign God would instruct, teach, and counsel us concerning the sin that so easily ensnares us. The Lord would give us courage to put it off and to know what actions we need to do in order to starve the sin, and wisdom to know what characteristics we should put on in the Lord Jesus Christ.

▫️Our Heavenly Father would keep His eye upon us, guarding and protecting our steps from stumbling and dishonoring His name.

▫️The Lord would help us not to stubbornly persist in our sin, but we would humble ourselves before the Lord and walk in obedience.

▫️He would keep before our eyes the knowledge that the way of the wicked brings many sorrows and leads to death.

▫️We would choose obedience, holiness, and sanctification, and His steadfast love would surround us and fill our hearts with gladness, joy, and rejoicing in the Lord because we are walking in a way pleasing to Him.

May the Lord do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, for His glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be killing sin or it will be killing you.

John Owen

Psalm 32 quoted from the ESV.

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