Psalm 32

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. - Selah -  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” Psalm 32:1-5 (NKJV)

There is a false idea circulating the Church-at-large that salvation in Old Testament times was obtained by doing the works of the Torah (Law/Teaching). This wrong idea is not a modern church invention. The Apostle Paul had to set the record straight in his letter to the young church in Rome. As his evidence that salvation had never been obtained through the works of the Law but had always been by God’s grace when men faithfully believed in Him, the apostle Paul quoted Genesis 15:6 along with today’s psalm.

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” Romans 4:4-8 (NKJV)

Not only was God’s forgiveness available to David, but he describes how, in his pride, he resisted confession, which staved off God’s restoration. Before we hiss at David, we can all remember times when we refused to confess sin. Biblical confession leading to restoration is more than simply admitting we have sinned. True confession includes the desire and serious intent not to sin again. David details how his refusal to confess his sin prolonged God’s “heavy hand” upon him and made his bones ache and groan. The moment that David acknowledged his sin, God forgave him. What a great God we serve! Still, His offer of forgiveness is not extended forever.   Eventually, His grace & mercy must be eclipsed by judgment. Hence, there is URGENCY in the gospel. Seek Him while He may still be found!

“For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. – Selah” Psalm 32:6-7 (NKJV)

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV)