How Can I Experience the Joy of Forgiveness?
List by Pastor Ken
Psalm 32 depicts God’s blessings for those who are forgiven. It reveals secrets of happiness. It reminds us that sin brings sorrow and pain, but the confession of sins gives us forgiveness, and forgiveness brings us joy.
I don’t have to feel guilty because God has taken care of my sin problem. If God’s forgiveness is the door and joy is the room that I can enter, then confession of my sin to God is the key that opens the door.
I can experience the blessing of joy through the forgiveness of my sins
Psalm 32:1-2
Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Trying to hide my sin blocks me from the joy of forgiveness
Psalm 32:3-4
When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. Selah.
If I confess my sin, I can experience the joy of forgiveness
Psalm 32:5-6
I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.
God is my hiding place - He becomes my comfort and security when I feel discouraged and trapped
Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Like the psalmist, Christ encourages me to talk to God in private
Matthew 6:5-6
When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
When I come to God and confess my sin, my reward is more than forgiveness; He cleanses me from all unrighteousness
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When God forgives me, He restores my salvation and my spirit
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
