Blessed Are the Forgiven

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Blessed Are the Forgiven

Date: Oct. 14, 2015

Passage

Psalm 32:1-11 (ESV)

A Maskil of David.

1   Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2   Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3   For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
4   For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5   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
6   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.
7   You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
8   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9   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.
10   Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11   Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 32:1

First, blessed are the forgiven (1-5). Who are the most blessed? David declared that the most blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. He had tried to hide his sin of adultery by committing the sin of murder but to no avail. When he kept silent about his sins, his bones wasted away and his strength was sapped as in summer (3-4). He became the most miserable man though he was a king. Then he made a decision to acknowledge his sins, and when he did so, God forgave the guilt of his sin.

Second, let all the faithful pray to you (6-11). After his sins were forgiven and he was full of God's grace, David had strength to counsel us. He tells us to be faithful and pray to God. Those who pray to God discover that God is their hiding place (7a). He surrounds them with songs of deliverance (7b). The LORD teaches them the right path to follow and He keeps his loving eye on them (8). The psalmist warns us not to be stubborn like the horse or mule who will not come to you without bit or bridle. We should come to the LORD willingly like little children and confess our sins. Then the LORD's unfailing love will surround us and we will be full of rejoicing.

Prayer: Lord, I come to you just as I am-a sinner in need of your forgiveness. Forgive my sins and fill me with songs of deliverance.

One Word: Blessed are the forgiven

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:26-40

Key Verse: 8:35

Today's Question

What is sanctification?

See answer and references