Signals Of God's Unfailing Love

Signals of God’s Unfailing Love Psalm 32

Introduction

This morning we talked about the sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. While Simon judged her (and Jesus), the Lord forgave her and sent her home in peace. She is not alone in Scripture as the recipient of the unfailing love of God. Simon could have received the benefits of being a disciple of Jesus, but he could not sense the need for following Jesus.

Let us focus on the unfailing love of God for those who would follow Him. 39 times in the Old Testament the Unfailing Love of God is affirmed. Mostly in the Psalms.. Our text for tonight is Psalm 32.

1. He Covers Our Sins (Psalm 32:1-2 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.)

We can’t understand the reality of forgiveness if we don’t understand the concept of sin, so David uses three words to describe sin:

*Transgression—Rebellion against God.

*Sin—Missing the mark or falling short of a standard.

*Deceit—Treachery.

What a blessing to cover our sins - to move them out of his sight - not counting them.

2. He Allows Us to Dwell in our Sins (Psalm 32:3-4 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.)

We are all familiar with David’s sin with Bathsheba and the domino effect of sins that resulted from this failure.

2 Samuel 11:26-27 When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. 27 After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

2 Samuel 12:1-10 - Samuel’s story about the Lamb.

David knew he had not been pleasing to the Lord … but there was a period of time when he kept quiet about that. He suffered through misery, not bringing this to the Lord. The Lord’s hand was heavy on him. In what way?

*His own guilt?

*His knowledge of the Word of the Lord?

*God brought about feelings of guilt to provoke repentance?

God will allow us to be miserable in our guilt, until we are ready and willing to acknowledge our sin.

It was a stunning moment when Nathan said to David, “You are the man! (Vs 7)

3. He Hears Our Confessions and Forgives (5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”)

David uses the same three words from verse 1 again, but this time he acknowledges them.

2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die."

1 John 1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

4. God Becomes Our Shelter (Psalm 32:6-7 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.)

As uncomfortable as confession might be, we gain much by being honest with the Lord. This doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen to us, it means we can hold on to the Lord while going through our struggles. Keeps us from the rising waters. Hides us when we feel in danger. Protects us when trouble is around. Surrounds us with songs of deliverance!

We wish God would remove all troubles from our life - and He will… when our time on this earth is over. Until then, we have the blessing of turning to Him in our struggles and knowing that He cares and He is moving to alleviate the struggles or to work within them to bring about some good.

Romans 8:28, 30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. … And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

5. God’s Unfailing Love for Sinners (Psalm 32:8-11)

*He counsels us in love (vs 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.)