How To Solve The Sin Problem

HOW TO SOLVE THE SIN PROBLEM

Psalm 32:1-5

The Joy of Forgiveness

32 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does

not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning

all the day long.

4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”

And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

Intro:

Different people have different problems. Some people struggle financially, others with their health, some have emotional and mental problems.

A. There is one reality with which we all struggle day by day: WE MUST ALL DEAL WITH SIN!!

In these verses, David is dealing with the sin he committed with Bathsheba. He tells us how he handled his sin and how he received cleansing.

By the way, this Psalm is most likely a companion to Psalm 51. In that Psalm, David offers his prayer of confession and repentance.

Here he shares the lessons he learned in dealing with his sin with you and me.

He is also fulfilling a vow he made to the Lord,

Psalm 51:3, "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." Let's look at these lessons

David learned and let them teach us HOW TO SOLVE THE SIN PROBLEM.

I. V. 3-4 THE PROBLEM OF CONCEALED SIN

(Ill. Unconfessed sin produces problems in three realms of life.)

Illustration

Arthur Conan Doyle, the ingenious creator of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, once found great humor in a practical joke he

played on 12 famous friends. Each of these men was virtuous and highly respected. For the joke, Doyle sent every one of

them the same telegram: "Flee at once, all is discovered!" Within 24 hours, the dozen men of noble reputation had taken a

trip out of the country! No matter how noble our reputation is, we all have things for which we are ashamed and hope no one

discovers. The only lasting solution to a guilty conscience is the forgiveness of God Himself.

A. v. 3 The Physical Realm -

.3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.

1. David tells us that his sin produced problems in his flesh.

a. He says that he became like and old man physically.

b .The sad fact is this: Sin will take a physical toll on the sinner! I am referring to the toll that is inflicted on the body by the sinner

as he tries to cover up his sin.

Illustration

A Louisiana farmer's favorite mule fell into a well. After studying the situation, the farmer came to the conclusion that he

couldn't pull the mule out, so he might as well bury him. It would be the humane thing to do.

So he got a truckload of dirt, backed up to the well, and dumped the dirt on top of the mule at the bottom of the well. But

when the dirt hit the mule, it started snorting and tramping. As it tramped, it began to work itself up on top of the dirt.

So the farmer continued to pour dirt in the well until the mule snorted and tramped its way to the top. It then walked away,

a dirtier - but wiser - mule. What was intended to bury it turned out to be its salvation.

BEING STU K IN A DEEP WELL OF SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE

2. Notice that David refers to his "groaning". This word refers to the cry of distress.

a. While David's sin was unconfessed, there was something in him that was crying out in distress.

b.There was something that was seeking for relief.

c. While he tried to hide his sin, the worry and fear that he would be found out took a physical toll on his body.

I am convinced that many people who spend a lot of money at the doctor and at the pharmacy would do better to

spend some time at the altar confessing their sins before God!

B. v. 4a --THE SPIRITUAL REALM--

.

Verse 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;

My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. NIV

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

A. Whether we like to think about it or not, there is a heavy spiritual price to pay for sin in our lives!

1. David says that God's "hand was heavy" upon him. his refers to chastisement!