The Joy of Forgiveness



Last month, my wife Debbie & I had the opportunity to go away for a few days to the Gatlinburg/Pidgeon Forge area of Tennessee. We stayed away from the touristy places, off the main roads at a wonderful bed & breakfast called Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn. The inn is run by a very nice Christian couple, Norman & Sarah Ball, who have been innkeepers there for many years. You can check out their resort at this link:

http://bluemountainmist.com/


One of the nice things about the resort for me was sitting on the front porch in the early morning, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and doing my devotions while taking in the peaceful, wonderful view of nature all around. Below is a sample of the view.

While enjoying the surroundings, my devotions were reading and meditating on Psalms 32, a Psalm of David. The Psalm is divided into sections; where the Psalmist describes the following:

Verses 1-2:    Describes the blessing of being completely forgiven of sin by the Lord.
Verses 3-4:    Describes life wasting away prior to confession/repentance.
Verse 5:        Describes confession of sin to God.
Verses 6-7:    Speaking to God and encourages others to pray and know the peace of God, with a warning not to wait too long.
Verses 8-11:   Speaks instruction and encouragement to others about the joy of being forgiven.

The Psalmist's conclusion is that only true happiness and peace are found in the forgiveness and joy of the Lord.

Below is Psalm 32 from the English Standard Version Bible. Enjoy:

1  Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered.
2  Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3  For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
4  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
                         Selah

5  I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not cover my iniquity;
   I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
   and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
                         Selah

6  Therefore let everyone who is godly
   offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
   surely in the rush of great waters,
   they shall not reach him.
7  You are a hiding place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
                         Selah

8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
   or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
   but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!