Recovering from a Fall into Temptation
Psalm 32:1–7
Recently, I found myself uttering, “They don’t make things like they used to.” I would normally dismiss this statement as an antiquated expression reserved for generations before me. The object of my frustration was our washing machine, which was less than two years old and beyond repair. We had to purchase a new machine and discard the other. No matter the age of an appliance or product, it will eventually fail.
The same can be said of us too. We may arm ourselves with Scripture, attend a great church, help others and be committed to growing in the likeness of Christ, and there will still be times we succumb to temptation and fail. Sometimes our sin will affect us alone. Other times our sin will cause a ripple effect and hurt many around us. Either way, sin requires atonement.
When you become a Christian, you experience the gifts of our Father in more ways than you may realize. One of the blessings of being a believer is forgiveness. Without it, we do not have salvation or the promise of eternal life.
Joy and blessing flow from God’s forgiveness. (1–2)
This psalm is a sequel to Psalm 51. In that psalm, David is confronted with his sexual sin and subsequent taking of a life. If you tend to rank sins, these are probably two of the biggest ones in your book. While all sins are equally offensive to a holy God, some sins produce more devastating results. David experienced this sobering truth firsthand.
Psalm 51 reveals the torment he faced due to his sinful choices. He suffered mentally, spiritually and physically due to his sins and attempted concealment. When we read the first two verses of Psalm 32, David’s attitude and outlook have completely changed. Here we see a man forgiven of his sins and washed clean of iniquity. He calls himself blessed and praises the grace and mercy of God.
There is no forgiveness without confession of sin. (3–5)
Why would you tell God something when He already knows everything? With confession, you are not informing God, you are agreeing with Him.
When you or I confess our sins, we acknowledge not only what we did, but also who we wronged. Our sins are not only against others — they are chiefly a violation of God and His holiness, Word and standard. Confession is seeking to view sin the same way God does. Sin hinders our relationship with Him, and confession heals it.
Living in a restored relationship with God helps us avoid future sin and temptation. (6–7)
Verse seven in one translation reads, “You are a hiding place for me, You preserve me from trouble.” As sheep of His fold, we long to always be near the Good Shepherd. Once there, we are safe and secure and cared for and protected. The closer I am to the Father, the less I will desire to wander. Yes, one day my new washing machine will wear out and fail. Yes, I will once again choose to sin. However, with God’s forgiveness and love, I can be restored. The new Maytag may wash my clothes, but the Master can make me white as snow.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
