WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.099 So, let's turn in our Bibles now, or you can look on the screen also to Psalm 32. 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:17.900 We've been thinking about how the Psalms can help us to grow in our relationship with God, 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:25.000 how they can give us ways of speaking and relating to God. And this week, 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:34.799 we're thinking about confession, we're thinking about repentance. So, Psalm 32, this is a Psalm of 00:00:34.799 --> 00:00:44.539 David. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one 00:00:44.539 --> 00:00:53.039 whose sin the Lord does not count against them, and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, 00:00:53.039 --> 00:01:01.780 my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me, 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:11.239 my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover 00:01:11.239 --> 00:01:20.159 up my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, and you forgave the guilt of my sin. 00:01:20.159 --> 00:01:29.159 Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found. Surely the rising of the mighty 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:38.560 waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with 00:01:38.560 --> 00:01:45.179 songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:51.600 my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be 00:01:51.600 --> 00:01:59.080 controlled by bit and bridle, or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's 00:01:59.080 --> 00:02:06.140 unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:19.240 Sing, all you who are upright in heart. Amen. This is God's word. Let's begin by recognizing one of the 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:27.460 wonderful qualities of the Bible, its honesty and its transparency that we find in so many of the 00:02:27.460 --> 00:02:37.060 central figures in the Bible. I discovered this week that Psalm 32 was St. Augustine's favorite Psalm. 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:43.860 So back way in the fourth or is it the fifth century? I can't remember. He wrote the confessions, 00:02:44.319 --> 00:02:53.020 great exploration of his inner life. And fundamental to his understanding of himself and why he loved 00:02:53.020 --> 00:03:00.760 Psalm 32 so much is the reality. And he said it, you can only know yourself when you know God. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:09.180 And by that, he meant to understand that before a holy God, we are sinners. As John Newton put it, 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:17.280 I am a great sinner and God is a great savior. That's the reality that Augustine found in Psalm 32 that 00:03:17.280 --> 00:03:23.920 caused him, as he was dying, to have it inscribed in the wall beside his bed so he could reflect on it. 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:29.479 But when you start to think about some of the major stories that you find, major characters in the Bible, 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:38.759 you recognize there is a willingness to expose their great failings. I was thinking this morning about 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:46.819 Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, who denied three times even knowing Jesus, and then wept 00:03:46.819 --> 00:03:54.859 bitterly as he realized what he had done. But Peter at the same time as realizing how deep his sin was, 00:03:55.359 --> 00:04:02.180 also discovered how great God's grace was because he was wonderfully restored by Jesus, 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:10.699 was invited in and given an important task of being the foundation, his word, his message being the 00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:19.240 foundation for the church. We can think about Jonah in the Old Testament, the ultimate reluctant prophet who 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:27.379 was so angry at God for having compassion and sparing the enemies of God's people. 00:04:29.120 --> 00:04:36.379 How did the story of Jonah ever come to be known? Because Jonah recognized his faults 00:04:36.379 --> 00:04:43.959 and was willing to share that story as he came to understand God's grace is better than my anger. 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:53.019 Peter and Jonah and Paul and here King David are among many who have looked into their own hearts and 00:04:53.019 --> 00:05:00.379 souls and seen the depths of their sin, but they're happy to talk about it as a way to make much of 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:10.439 the amazing grace of God's forgiveness. So their stories and here David's story in Psalm 32 stand as a testimony. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:19.379 There are sins, there are many, but his mercy is more. Or as we have it here in Psalm 32 in verse 1, 00:05:19.779 --> 00:05:23.819 blessed is the one whose sins are covered. 00:05:23.819 --> 00:05:33.259 Psalm 32 is a wonderful psalm, but it's a challenging one. At the same time as offering freedom, 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:42.639 it's a truth that challenges us because it forces us to look in on ourselves. Because David is giving 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:51.120 us the message that it's with honest confession and it's with sorrow over our own sin that we find 00:05:51.120 --> 00:06:01.199 true blessing and favor from God. That's where joy is found. And that's very different to the message of a lot of 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:09.079 popular self-help psychology. I read an article this week asking the question, are you dealing with guilt? 00:06:09.199 --> 00:06:15.840 And this popular psychologist was saying that the key when you're dealing with guilt is to learn to 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:22.119 forgive yourself. And that's fine for a certain kind of guilt where you're holding on to things in the past 00:06:22.119 --> 00:06:27.719 that we should leave behind because they've been dealt with. But what about when our sin is against 00:06:27.719 --> 00:06:35.479 God and our guilt is real? Then it's not a case of we can forgive ourselves and move on. We need God 00:06:35.479 --> 00:06:36.919 to forgive us. 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:45.600 So Psalm 32 forces us to go deeper, but because it does that, it gives much greater freedom and joy 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:52.860 than learning simply to try and forgive ourselves. So as we read Psalm 32 and think about it together, 00:06:52.860 --> 00:07:00.360 think about it as the testimony of King David, a King David who is the spiritual leader of Israel. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:08.020 And here he is using his own failure as part of public worship to teach the people of God that 00:07:08.020 --> 00:07:16.060 there is no greater joy than the joy of forgiveness. That that joy comes from confessing sin, not from 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:22.980 trying to cover it up. And then he urges everyone to practice true repentance, to share in his joy. 00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:29.780 So let's see him lead us in that direction. Firstly, in the couple of verses, we have his testimony 00:07:29.779 --> 00:07:33.319 that there's no greater joy than forgiveness. 00:07:35.179 --> 00:07:43.279 The Psalm makes us ask the question, who is the happy person? Who is the truly blessed person? 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:47.239 Who is it that can say they enjoy God's favor? 00:07:48.799 --> 00:07:57.019 And as we explore Psalm 32, we need to recognize that Psalm 32 only makes sense, its conclusions only make sense 00:07:57.019 --> 00:08:06.399 when we have a biblical view of humanity. That we are made in the image of God and that we are made 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:14.599 for relationship with God and to enjoy his glory. So that we would see the greatest loss we can ever know, 00:08:14.919 --> 00:08:22.680 it is to lose fellowship with God and by contrast, the greatest joy is to be reconciled to him. 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:28.040 Because what we have is David celebrating God's amazing grace. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:31.819 David sings this song all about reconciliation. 00:08:33.080 --> 00:08:39.139 God has shown him favor again and again, despite his lawbreaking. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.899 And there's no better news for him than that. 00:08:41.899 --> 00:08:47.939 And that then gives him the honesty, knowing that he has found that reconciliation, 00:08:48.199 --> 00:08:52.179 it gives him the honesty to really dig down into his sin. 00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:58.019 Maybe you noticed as the Psalm was read the different language that's used for sin. 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:02.179 So in verse 1, it speaks of transgressions. 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:07.500 And that brings us to the idea of rebellion against God. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:13.960 This is us raising our fist in protest against God's rule. 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:19.340 Where just as Adam and Eve did in the garden, we want to set our own course, 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:23.019 deciding for ourselves what is right and wrong and good and evil. 00:09:23.139 --> 00:09:24.720 So there is transgression. 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:29.379 There's also in verse 1, the language of sin, 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:35.080 which has the sense of falling short, of a target, of a mark, 00:09:35.080 --> 00:09:40.660 of a high jumper trying to jump the bar, but knocking it over, 00:09:40.840 --> 00:09:44.740 failing to reach the intended goal. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:49.980 And then in verse 5, we also have the language of iniquity. 00:09:50.780 --> 00:09:53.420 The idea of something that had been straight, 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:56.180 which has now become warped or crooked, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:10:00.000 is deviating from the course. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:05.019 So David is giving a lesson from his own life to say, 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:08.899 I am guilty of an uprising against God. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:10.980 Though I am the man after God's own heart, 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:13.659 I am guilty of rebelling against God. 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:16.279 I have failed his test. 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:20.179 I am crooked in my nature. 00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.899 And as David exposes his own heart, 00:10:23.840 --> 00:10:27.580 he's inviting us to reflect on our own, 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:30.920 to see that in the same way as he fails, 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:33.139 so do we. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:36.060 And it's something we need to hear. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:40.800 Maybe you find yourself, as so many people do today, 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:42.960 struggling with news fatigue. 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:47.160 Wherever we look, online, social media, newspapers, 00:10:47.280 --> 00:10:49.580 it seems bad news everywhere. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:52.940 And it can be so hard and it can be so exhausting, 00:10:53.060 --> 00:10:56.200 so we just want to switch off from all the evil that's out there. 00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:59.280 David is saying, 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:01.820 do we understand how important it is 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:03.800 to recognize the evil that's in here? 00:11:04.640 --> 00:11:08.240 Do we spend time reflecting on the offense 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:12.180 that we cause against God day in and day out? 00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.940 Because what David discovered in verse two, 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:17.379 it is blessed as the one whose sin the Lord 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.560 does not count against him 00:11:18.560 --> 00:11:21.500 and in whose spirit is no deceit. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.740 David is saying there's blessing 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:26.180 when we're totally honest before God, 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:29.060 when we're not trying to cover up or wear a mask, 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:32.320 but we're facing the ugly reality of our sin and our shame, 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:34.580 as we bring it into God's light, 00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:37.860 then there can be joy and healing and restoration. 00:11:40.440 --> 00:11:43.940 Now, I imagine we know this in our own experience, 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:47.419 a necessary part of really being restored 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:50.279 in a friendship or a relationship 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:51.319 when there's been a breakdown. 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:55.259 We need more than the quick, 00:11:55.979 --> 00:11:56.539 sorry, 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.079 you know, 00:11:58.120 --> 00:11:58.620 the quick, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.159 I'm sorry, 00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:01.039 but nobody's perfect. 00:12:02.479 --> 00:12:05.240 What we need is somebody to really own 00:12:05.240 --> 00:12:06.939 what they have done 00:12:06.939 --> 00:12:08.159 that's caused such an offense, 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:09.500 what's caused the breach, 00:12:09.539 --> 00:12:10.819 or we need ourselves to do that 00:12:10.819 --> 00:12:13.039 if there is to be true restoration. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.159 And the same, 00:12:14.699 --> 00:12:15.319 David is saying, 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:17.139 is true of God. 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:19.819 We need to really think deeply 00:12:19.819 --> 00:12:21.980 about the ways in which we offend God 00:12:21.980 --> 00:12:25.819 in order to enjoy the joy of his forgiveness 00:12:25.819 --> 00:12:28.319 and to know the joy of restoration. 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:32.059 As the people of God, 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:33.939 we make much of God's grace 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:35.839 and we must always do that, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:39.159 but we must not take sin lightly. 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:43.899 So we enjoy grace, 00:12:44.219 --> 00:12:45.379 but we take sin lightly. 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.899 Take sin seriously, rather. 00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.959 We also see David, 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:52.719 just as he digs deep into his own sin, 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:56.219 we also see he also draws deeply 00:12:56.219 --> 00:12:59.559 from God's atoning work 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:01.799 on behalf of his people. 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:04.860 So when he talks about transgressions, 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:06.500 he talks about the blessing 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.899 of the one whose transgressions 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:09.379 are forgiven 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:12.379 and where the cost of reconciliation 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:14.720 has been paid by God 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:17.860 so that our sin can be lifted off us. 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.419 And as we know from the New Testament, 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.819 it can be lifted off us 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:22.319 because it's placed on Jesus 00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:24.000 and he dies for it. 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:26.360 In verse one also, 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.679 there's blessing for the one 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:30.100 whose sins are covered 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:32.460 when our sins are removed 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:34.500 out of God's sight. 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:37.139 That was the imagery of the scapegoat. 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.340 In the Day of Atonement, 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:41.199 the annual festival 00:13:41.199 --> 00:13:43.199 where the nation sought 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:44.699 the forgiveness of God, 00:13:45.080 --> 00:13:46.279 the scapegoat was sent 00:13:46.279 --> 00:13:47.419 out into the wilderness, 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:48.559 as it were, 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:50.600 carrying the sins of the people 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.699 out of their sight 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:53.720 and out of God's sight. 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.259 There's blessing for the one 00:13:56.259 --> 00:13:57.199 whose sin the Lord 00:13:57.199 --> 00:13:58.899 does not count against them 00:13:58.899 --> 00:14:00.759 where our record of debt 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.139 is cancelled, 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.860 where it is wiped clean. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:09.779 So David reflects on both of these 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:12.560 and he understands that joy returns 00:14:12.560 --> 00:14:15.159 after sin 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:18.899 when the separation is ended 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:21.019 by God. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:26.259 Crucial for us is to not have deceit, 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.879 to be open and honest 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:30.220 about our sin and our failure, 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:32.720 but it's also crucial 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.560 to recognize 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.300 it's God 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:35.200 who forgives. 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:36.759 It's God's grace 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:38.300 that we lean on 00:14:38.300 --> 00:14:39.560 and cling to. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:43.779 Now, of course, 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:44.440 when we're honest, 00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:46.000 this is a painful process 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.000 and it's not necessarily 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.519 a process 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.220 that we'd like 00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.740 to involve ourselves in. 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:52.960 It's far easier 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:54.399 to try and cover up 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.440 or cover over 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.660 our sin 00:14:56.660 --> 00:14:57.540 and our shortcoming. 00:14:57.539 --> 00:15:00.240 It's much easier 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.240 to try and distract ourselves 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:04.019 and keep ourselves so busy 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.939 that we never think 00:15:04.939 --> 00:15:05.699 how things stand 00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:06.740 between us and God. 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.879 It's much easier 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.059 to minimize 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:11.319 our wrongdoing, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.839 to pass the blame 00:15:12.839 --> 00:15:13.740 on someone else 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:15.019 or our circumstances. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:17.360 But David's story 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:18.559 as a Christian, 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.240 as a believer in God, 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:22.179 is to say 00:15:22.179 --> 00:15:23.839 that the only road 00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:24.679 to joy 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:27.439 comes when we truly 00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:28.819 feel the weight 00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:29.419 of our sin 00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:31.379 and we repent. 00:15:33.299 --> 00:15:34.019 So that's where 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.259 his testimony begins 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:36.919 and that sort of 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:38.299 then naturally 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.159 leads to 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.659 the next section 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:42.019 where he recognizes 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:43.039 that the path to joy 00:15:43.039 --> 00:15:44.879 comes from confession 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.639 and not cover up. 00:15:45.719 --> 00:15:46.859 So he looks at the two ways 00:15:46.859 --> 00:15:47.919 that he tried to deal 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:48.599 with his sin. 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:50.019 So let's read 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:52.219 verse 3 and 4 again. 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:54.500 David writes this, 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:55.519 When I kept silent, 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.980 my bones wasted away 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.919 through my groaning 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.720 all day long. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.000 For day and night 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:01.419 your hand was heavy on me. 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:03.360 My strength was sapped 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:05.220 as in the heat 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.059 of summer. 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.419 So again, 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.519 this is David's testimony 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.460 and he's saying 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.480 he has learned 00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:13.580 from his painful mistake. 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.159 Here is David 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:16.019 as a believer 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:17.000 but he is trying 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.460 desperately 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.960 to ignore his sin. 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.399 Rather than being 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.159 open with God, 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.120 he's being silent 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:22.840 before God 00:16:22.840 --> 00:16:23.940 and what's it brought him? 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.419 It's brought him 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:26.500 distress and misery. 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.940 And he recognizes 00:16:28.940 --> 00:16:29.740 why that is. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.080 He says, 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.539 It's because God's hand 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:33.259 was heavy on me. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:35.080 As the Bible says, 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:35.940 God disciplines 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:37.200 those he loves. 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.059 God doesn't want 00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:38.519 his people 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.240 to be comfortable 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.019 in their sin. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:40.279 Rather, 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:42.100 he wants to draw us back 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:44.039 to fellowship with him. 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:44.460 And sometimes 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:46.100 that's a hard road 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:48.259 where God will confront 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.620 our rebellion. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.440 So here is David 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.100 looking back 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.720 and thinking about 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.200 that time 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:54.820 where he didn't 00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:55.519 confess sin 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.440 and he's thinking 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.759 of the mental 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.039 and the emotional 00:16:59.039 --> 00:16:59.860 and the physical 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:01.100 cost to him. 00:17:01.799 --> 00:17:03.740 That sense of exhaustion 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.960 and being worn out. 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.539 In a sense, 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.160 he's saying to us, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:11.119 this road of denial 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:13.140 is a dead end. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.440 If you're looking for joy, 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.680 don't go down this way. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.400 Don't go living 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.119 with your sin. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:17.799 Rather, 00:17:17.939 --> 00:17:19.179 you need to confess it. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.239 John Calvin, 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.519 the reformer, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.239 said that 00:17:23.239 --> 00:17:25.379 until people are persuaded 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:27.239 God is reconciled to them, 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:29.359 they are in misery. 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:32.199 Nothing can be more terrible 00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:34.159 than to have God 00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.859 for our enemy. 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:38.159 That's David's experience. 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:40.679 And he's sharing that with us 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:41.579 so that we would learn. 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:44.219 But then in verse 5, 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.319 we see David's U-turn. 00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:47.079 We see David's repentance. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.599 We see his coming 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.599 to his senses. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:53.379 And here's what he says, 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.419 Then I acknowledged 00:17:54.419 --> 00:17:55.339 my sin to you 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:56.359 and did not cover up 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:57.039 my iniquity. 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.119 I said, 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.039 I will confess 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.119 my transgressions 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.720 to the Lord. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.599 And you forgave 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.899 the guilt 00:18:03.899 --> 00:18:05.659 of my sin. 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:08.059 No longer silence. 00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:08.819 Now he's open 00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.619 before God. 00:18:09.679 --> 00:18:10.480 Now there's repentance. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.899 Now there's confession. 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.939 And his discovery, 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.039 his wonderful discovery, 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:16.240 is that as he decides 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.180 to turn to God, 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:20.139 God turns to him. 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.659 God is like the father 00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:24.539 in the prodigal son story. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.319 If you remember that story 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:27.200 of the younger son 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:29.319 that demanded half 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.659 of the family inheritance 00:18:30.659 --> 00:18:31.339 and went away 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.960 and wasted it 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.559 and while living 00:18:32.559 --> 00:18:33.420 and then found himself 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.559 living in a pigsty. 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:36.919 He realizes how miserable 00:18:36.919 --> 00:18:37.579 his life is 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.279 and how he'd be far 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.200 better off at home 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:40.839 and he determines 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.619 that he's going to go home 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.599 and he's going to confess, 00:18:43.119 --> 00:18:44.059 I have sinned against heaven 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.720 and against you. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.679 And as he comes 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.460 in his filth 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:48.220 with nothing 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:50.379 before his father, 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.440 his father comes running. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.319 His father embraces him. 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.599 His father throws a feast 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:56.819 for this son of his 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.919 and that's the character 00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:58.539 of God. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.220 God delights 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.299 to show mercy 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.859 and grace 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:02.759 when we confess 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.959 our sin. 00:19:04.879 --> 00:19:05.599 And so this is what 00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.279 David discovered. 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:07.599 When David covered up 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.240 his sin, 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.579 his life was miserable. 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.779 But when God 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.979 covered his sin, 00:19:14.699 --> 00:19:15.439 there was joy 00:19:15.439 --> 00:19:16.879 and there was peace. 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.659 And that's the hope 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.259 at the heart 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.539 of the Christian faith. 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.119 That as we recognize 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:24.979 ourselves to be rebel sinners 00:19:24.979 --> 00:19:26.259 before God 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.279 and against God 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.139 and as we 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.519 repent of sin, 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.579 as we turn to God, 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.720 we discover that God 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.939 in Jesus 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:35.619 has made a way 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.779 for us to be reconciled. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.720 That God has sent 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.139 his own son Jesus 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:41.099 to pay the debt 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.759 for our sin, 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.879 to cover our sin, 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:46.079 to bear the punishment 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:46.899 for our sin 00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:48.579 so that we can be adopted 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:49.879 into the family of God. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.799 And David understood 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.039 that's where joy is. 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.720 Not in covering up 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.559 but in confessing. 00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:57.339 And this is why 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:58.399 believing the gospel 00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.119 matters so much 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:02.059 for us as Christians 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.939 and as a church. 00:20:04.939 --> 00:20:05.879 It reminds us 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:07.139 that we need to be honest 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.679 about the bad news 00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:09.299 of our sin. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.079 If we just cover over sin 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:12.299 and act like it's no big deal, 00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.619 then the good news 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.179 of what Jesus 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.939 has come to do 00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:15.879 will make no sense 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.379 to people. 00:20:17.219 --> 00:20:18.159 Unless we see 00:20:18.159 --> 00:20:18.679 the horror 00:20:18.679 --> 00:20:19.479 and the ugliness 00:20:19.479 --> 00:20:19.899 of sin, 00:20:19.979 --> 00:20:20.759 unless we see 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:22.259 the misery that we're in 00:20:22.259 --> 00:20:23.319 and the prospect 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:24.379 of eternal judgment, 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.500 then the good news 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.519 of what Jesus offers 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.559 won't connect 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.579 with people at all. 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.399 To receive the message 00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:31.519 of Jesus as good news, 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.379 we need to see 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:33.879 the bad news of sin. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.899 It's also important 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:37.639 to recognize 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:39.379 that we are justified 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:41.159 by the righteousness 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.980 of Christ. 00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:44.460 It's not my record 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.279 that saves me, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.480 it's Jesus' 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.519 perfect record. 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.659 That's where salvation is. 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.539 And that means 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.919 that as Christians, 00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:51.500 we don't need 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.519 to try and cover up. 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.599 We don't need 00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:54.339 to act better 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:54.899 than we are. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.279 We should be humble 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.940 and not proud. 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.680 We should be free 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.359 to confess our sin, 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.740 understanding 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.119 that it's not on me 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:03.980 to save myself, 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.619 rather it's on Jesus, 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.119 his perfect record, 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.440 his finished work. 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.379 So there's hope 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.839 when we understand 00:21:10.839 --> 00:21:12.599 how we are reckoned 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.139 to be righteous 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:13.960 before God. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:15.759 It's also important 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.220 to see the heart of God, 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.980 to recognize 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.200 in the gospel 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.299 that we are presented 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:20.940 with a good 00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:21.980 and a loving God. 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:23.460 The one who knows 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.619 the very worst 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.799 about us, 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:27.740 but still in Christ, 00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.079 loves to forgive 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.980 and to save. 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.339 That even before 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.519 he'd created the world, 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:33.919 God, Father, Son, 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.299 and Spirit 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.159 had established 00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:37.460 a plan of salvation 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:40.079 to bring to himself 00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.220 all who would confess 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.799 their sin. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:45.839 So the gospel brings joy 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:47.440 and David understood that. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.319 And so we are invited 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:50.639 to learn from David's 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.919 personal story 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:54.680 that those who know 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.120 the sorrow of repentance 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:58.740 at one and the same time 00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:00.060 know the deep joy 00:22:00.060 --> 00:22:02.480 of God's forgiveness 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:04.340 as we turn to him. 00:22:05.820 --> 00:22:07.480 And so then that leads 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:09.180 David towards this testimony 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.380 where he really begins 00:22:10.380 --> 00:22:11.600 to share his lesson 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.840 with the rest 00:22:12.840 --> 00:22:14.340 of the worshiping community. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.400 Where he says, 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.980 follow this path 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.519 to share 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.720 this joy. 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.720 Imagine if 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.720 right now 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:28.319 as part of our worship 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:31.120 we were to catalogue 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:33.319 our own sin 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.860 and failure. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.220 Imagine how horrific 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.799 that would feel for us. 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:42.240 But recognize 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:44.339 that here is David 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.359 introducing 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:47.419 into public worship 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:50.879 at one of those times 00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.700 where he is 00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:52.659 acknowledging 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.859 before all the people 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:55.779 that he sinned 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.599 against God, 00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:58.700 that he was silent 00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.559 before God, 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.000 he was slow 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.980 to repent. 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.500 Here he honestly 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:05.539 is confessing 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.960 his deep sin 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.440 so that glory 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.519 would come to God 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.799 and so that people 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.880 would learn a lesson 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.920 from him. 00:23:14.100 --> 00:23:15.460 He's giving instruction. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.240 He's teaching lessons 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.100 that he has learned 00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:20.779 through his pain. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.960 Two lessons 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:24.259 for us. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.100 First, 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.259 David says, 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.539 repent 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:28.960 quickly. 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.860 Verse 6 00:23:30.860 --> 00:23:31.960 and 7. 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.620 Therefore let all 00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:34.200 the faithful 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.079 pray to you 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:36.740 while you may be found. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.579 Surely the rising 00:23:38.579 --> 00:23:39.819 of the mighty waters 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:41.000 will not reach them. 00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:43.420 You are my hiding place. 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:44.880 You will protect me 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.500 from trouble 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:47.000 and surround me 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.799 with songs 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:49.480 of deliverance. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.880 Repent, 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:51.900 turn to God 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.299 in prayer 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:53.600 while God 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.620 may be found. 00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:56.039 Recognizing today 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.160 is the day of opportunity. 00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:57.660 Today 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.779 is a day 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:00.039 of grace. 00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.299 And so David 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.120 very simply 00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:02.720 is saying 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.680 to the people 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.059 of God, 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:05.180 don't put off 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.920 putting things 00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:07.060 right with your God. 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.740 Confess, 00:24:10.299 --> 00:24:10.640 repent 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.799 quickly. 00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:12.960 And he gives 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.720 a couple of pictures 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.320 to help. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.720 In verse 6 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.360 he talks about 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:17.279 the floodwaters 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.820 rising. 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.460 Most probably 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:20.960 a picture 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.680 of judgment, 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:22.560 maybe even 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:23.680 final judgment. 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.560 We need 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.500 to be right 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.240 with God 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.580 to find favor 00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:29.000 with God 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.700 that we might be 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.240 spared from 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:30.840 God's judgment. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.440 Think Noah. 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.620 Noah found favor 00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:33.099 with God 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:34.059 and he was 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.639 in the ark. 00:24:35.699 --> 00:24:36.199 We need to 00:24:36.199 --> 00:24:36.759 find favor 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.239 with God 00:24:37.239 --> 00:24:37.939 to be spared. 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:39.699 And then 00:24:39.699 --> 00:24:40.699 in verse 7 00:24:40.699 --> 00:24:42.539 we repent 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.039 quickly 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.939 to discover 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:44.500 again 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.239 God 00:24:45.239 --> 00:24:45.719 as our 00:24:45.719 --> 00:24:46.479 hiding place, 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:46.839 God 00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:47.279 as our 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.719 place 00:24:47.719 --> 00:24:48.779 of protection, 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.500 God 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.099 the safe 00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.479 haven 00:24:50.479 --> 00:24:51.000 in the 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:51.379 storms 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.239 of life, 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.039 God 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.419 the one 00:24:53.419 --> 00:24:53.699 who will 00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:54.119 bring us 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:54.339 through 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:54.959 the storm 00:24:54.959 --> 00:24:55.779 of judgment 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.259 and bring 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.479 us 00:24:56.479 --> 00:24:57.139 to 00:24:57.139 --> 00:24:57.959 himself. 00:24:58.959 --> 00:24:59.859 We need 00:24:59.859 --> 00:25:00.379 to be 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:01.240 restored 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.500 to know 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.459 that safety 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:04.000 of being 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.579 with 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.279 our 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.899 God. 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.019 So we 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.279 repent 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.699 quickly. 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:09.939 And the 00:25:09.939 --> 00:25:10.459 next lesson 00:25:10.459 --> 00:25:10.959 he gives 00:25:10.959 --> 00:25:12.059 to the 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.559 worshiping 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.179 people of 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.379 God 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:13.899 is to 00:25:13.899 --> 00:25:14.459 repent 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:15.740 willingly. 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:17.659 Verse 9 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:19.479 Do not 00:25:19.479 --> 00:25:20.039 be like 00:25:20.039 --> 00:25:20.779 the horse 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.899 or the 00:25:21.899 --> 00:25:22.240 mule 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.779 which have 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:22.959 no 00:25:22.959 --> 00:25:23.699 understanding 00:25:23.699 --> 00:25:24.939 but must 00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:25.599 be controlled 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.259 by bit 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.079 and bridle 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.159 or they 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:28.659 will not 00:25:28.659 --> 00:25:29.119 come to 00:25:29.119 --> 00:25:29.319 you. 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.899 We have 00:25:29.899 --> 00:25:30.339 that saying 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.720 in English 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.139 don't be 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:31.679 stubborn 00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:33.179 as a 00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:33.559 mule. 00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:34.639 And when 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.059 it comes 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:35.879 to repentance 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.659 absolutely 00:25:36.659 --> 00:25:37.879 don't be 00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.799 stubborn 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:40.179 as the 00:25:40.179 --> 00:25:40.399 mule. 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:40.720 What does 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.079 he mean 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.599 by that? 00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:41.960 Well in 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.319 verse 9 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.599 he says 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.399 don't lack 00:25:43.399 --> 00:25:44.839 understanding. 00:25:45.659 --> 00:25:46.119 Donkeys 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.539 horses 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:46.980 they don't 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.339 have 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:47.960 understanding 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.599 don't be 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.019 like that 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.539 understand 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.220 God is 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:51.759 a judge 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:53.339 repentance 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.119 is vital 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.859 God is 00:25:55.859 --> 00:25:56.259 a loving 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:56.799 father 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.839 therefore we 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.299 should turn 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.639 to him 00:25:58.639 --> 00:25:59.179 quickly and 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.580 gladly. 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.519 He says 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.000 don't be 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.259 like the 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.640 horse and 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:03.940 mule that 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.240 need to 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.840 be dragged 00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:05.180 in the 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.539 direction 00:26:05.539 --> 00:26:05.940 they should 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.340 go. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:07.720 Don't 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.019 live in 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.500 the misery 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:08.720 of 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.360 unconfessed 00:26:09.360 --> 00:26:09.660 sin. 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.259 Don't 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.759 live with 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.320 the guilt. 00:26:13.100 --> 00:26:13.420 Don't 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.779 live with 00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:14.279 that sense 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.759 of shame. 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:15.039 Don't 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.519 live with 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.640 the exhausting 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.539 effort of 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.360 trying to 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.860 cover up 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.180 and live 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:19.660 in denial 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.299 rather than 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.920 being honest 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.380 and open 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.039 with our 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.340 God. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.039 Go quickly 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.440 and don't 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.140 be dragged 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:25.460 to the 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:25.860 place of 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:26.340 repentance. 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:28.100 David 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.680 learned the 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.980 misery and 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.440 wants to 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.120 spare them 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:31.780 and us 00:26:31.780 --> 00:26:32.920 from that. 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.140 Don't be 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.460 like the 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.940 horse. 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:36.580 Don't be 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:36.880 like the 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.220 donkey. 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.040 Don't resist 00:26:38.040 --> 00:26:39.540 drawing near. 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.080 Don't always 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.680 be pulling 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.380 away. 00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:44.140 Learn from 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.620 the story of 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.100 the prodigal 00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:45.440 son. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:46.620 You know 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.060 he couldn't 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:48.360 wait to get 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:48.800 away from 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:49.180 his father. 00:26:49.280 --> 00:26:49.480 Couldn't 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.320 wait to get 00:26:50.320 --> 00:26:50.660 away from 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.160 the security 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.620 and love 00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:51.960 of home 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.340 and find 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:52.800 himself in 00:26:52.800 --> 00:26:53.140 the misery 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.940 of the pigsty. 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:56.340 And he 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:56.820 came to his 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.300 senses and 00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:57.820 he returned 00:26:57.820 --> 00:26:58.180 to his 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.300 father and 00:26:59.300 --> 00:26:59.940 he enjoyed 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.720 welcome and 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.300 he enjoyed 00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:02.140 love. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.380 In verse 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.019 10, 00:27:04.840 --> 00:27:05.519 those who 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.540 return 00:27:06.540 --> 00:27:08.019 discover the 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.519 Lord's 00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.620 unfailing 00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:11.160 love instead 00:27:11.160 --> 00:27:12.200 of meeting 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:14.000 with woe. 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:15.680 Repent 00:27:15.680 --> 00:27:17.060 quickly, 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.140 repent 00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:19.519 willingly and 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:20.140 the result 00:27:20.140 --> 00:27:21.560 he begins 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:21.820 where he 00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:22.140 finishes 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:24.820 with joy. 00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.720 The greatest 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.460 joy, 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.000 the joy of 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.759 the friendship 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.560 of the Lord, 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:32.100 the joy of 00:27:32.100 --> 00:27:33.060 fellowship with 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:33.960 God is 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.980 ours as 00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.660 we 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.600 repent. 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.200 So we've 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.740 heard David's 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.180 testimony. 00:27:43.060 --> 00:27:44.040 He's written 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:44.960 this song for 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.720 public worship 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:47.640 so that the 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.220 people of God 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.720 that we might 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.900 know where 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.660 true joy 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.320 lies. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.680 It lies in 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.400 being forgiven 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.240 and reconciled 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.820 to God. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:55.940 That we 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:56.420 would see 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.340 the path 00:27:57.340 --> 00:27:57.720 to that 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.420 being open 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.980 before God 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.700 and confessing 00:27:59.700 --> 00:28:00.180 our sin. 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.240 And we've 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.660 heard his 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.220 invitation 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.600 to follow 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.380 that path, 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.860 to share 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.540 his joy. 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.539 God 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:11.200 and 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.359 so 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:11.539 all 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:11.659 of 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:11.799 us 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.039 have 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.299 to 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.139 make 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:13.420 that 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.940 decision. 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.319 It's a 00:28:15.319 --> 00:28:15.759 lifestyle. 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.399 This isn't a 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.019 one-off thing. 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.700 We're always 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.639 guilty of 00:28:18.639 --> 00:28:18.859 sin. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.279 Therefore, 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.159 our whole 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:20.659 lives need 00:28:20.659 --> 00:28:21.139 to be one 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:22.359 of repenting 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.279 and trusting 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.899 in God's 00:28:23.899 --> 00:28:24.359 grace. 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.559 So if you're 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.099 not a Christian 00:28:28.099 --> 00:28:28.859 here today, 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.220 if you're 00:28:29.220 --> 00:28:29.899 listening in, 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:30.960 you need to, 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.839 for the first 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.159 time, 00:28:32.779 --> 00:28:33.779 repent from 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:34.579 sin and 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.680 believe in 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:36.180 Jesus, 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.259 to have 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.560 him as 00:28:37.560 --> 00:28:38.060 Lord and 00:28:38.060 --> 00:28:38.500 Saviour. 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.200 And for 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.620 those of us 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:40.980 who are 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.360 Christians, 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.920 we still 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.660 need every 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.860 day to 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.620 enjoy close 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.299 fellowship with 00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:45.500 God. 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:45.779 And that 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.360 means dealing 00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:46.820 with the 00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:47.200 things that 00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:47.680 go wrong 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:47.980 in our 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.560 hearts, 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.700 dealing with 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:50.120 the sin 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.420 in our 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:50.900 lives, 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:51.759 so that 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.220 we can, 00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:53.000 with David, 00:28:53.860 --> 00:28:54.180 know the 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.740 blessing and 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:55.980 the joy of 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.519 those whose 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.480 sins are 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.700 covered and 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.100 forgiven. 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.560 Let's pray 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.160 together.