The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-15
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL TOPIC, AUG. &c.
David Confession and Forgiveness,
1-I1-OnIy One Way of Peace.
By Rev. JAMES E. GILBERT

INTRODUcTION-This Psalm is usually and
properly ascribed TO David. II is one OF the
seven designated penitential. intended to show
the way by which sinners find peace with God.
and 10 teach the nature and effects OF repentance.
The title Maschil. written In most Bibles. is
significant. given because it contains instruc-
ton. Grotius thinks the Psalm was designed 10
be sung on the great day OF atonement. for
which time it was certainly appropriate. IL is
supposed to have been composed after Davids
transgression with Bath-sheba uI Sam. XII. 2-5).
and subsequently, to his obtaining pardon. upon
the preaching Of Nathan. Oh Sam. xii, 1-1S)
This is the probable reason for its selection by
the international COMMITTEES at this time as a
lesson. 1t follows Immediately upon the lesson
OF last week. III SAM. K. s-le.) This fact de-
serves TO be specially noted. The king of Israel.
victorious over enemies. honored and exalted, fell
into sin. But he repented and found favor. Here
is warning and encouragement for ALL
BLEsSED.-The Psalm opens with the decla-
ration Of the happiness Of a restored sinner.
That happiness results from the removal OF four
evils-transgression, sin. iniquity, guile-evils
that had made a home in the heart and cor
rurted the life. Let every sinner know that he
is required TO give up only what is troublesome.
The method of this removal is adapted to the
evil. Transgression is forgiven. There is no
otter way Of release. for a law broken demands
punishment, unless the law-giver is pleased,
upon conditions which he may specify, TO cancel
and pardon. Mark III. ID The sin is covered.
concealed from the sight OF God and man. so
that neither shall look upon IT any more. psalm
ciii. 12.) The ~iniquity. that which is contrary to
equity. is not imputed. not charged against the
person. Romans iy, So He is released from IL
as from a debt. The guile, the deception. which
fills the heart or an ungOdly man. departs with
ing What he saws tn"xinr that cod sees hi.
heart. John i. Az Blessed is such a man. both
because OF the experiences and the condition into
which he comes, and because God has wrought
in MIN and for him a mighty deliverance-
DlSTRESS.-Nhe one r~Joices in any new
found good he naturally reyerts to his prior con-
dition. His JOY is increased by considering the
spiritual things with great precision and force.
psalm x. % Accordingly. after describing the
sets forth the terrible state of one awakened but
nforgiven.-consciou Of sin, but seeing no re-
day after day, cIinging 10 that which is the cause
OF all their distress. The sinner is here de-
s sori4ed as roaring caring s gro n..nsor all the the day day long or a
business. The reluctance TO humble ones self
before God increases the misery. The secret re-
paired the health OF the sinner. Gen. fiji, 49,
II seemed as If some deep-seated malady, like
bodily frame. dob xix. ~ The bones Qimbs)
waxed old, and the inhrmities of age crept on.
All this was more keelly realized after IL had
been succeeded by the biessedness mentioned.
can one escape from such dis
tress? That Is the supreme question Of all lands
and ages. Every man has experienced this
heavy burden. and may have cried out in dark
ness but found no remedy Every system OF re-
ligion is an emD answer. and that is the
best system which furnishes the most complete
answer. DAVID tells now he found relief. IL was
a very simple method. which any one may en-
ploy. He confessed 10 God. Lev. XVI, 400 He
personally. humbly. c%ontriteiy to Hin. He aid
not hide. or extenuate. 1t was an open. full
hearted acknowledgment prov. xviii. 49, And
God did the rest, that which was mentioned He
forsave, lie covered. He Cancelled. That was all
that David could do. Job iii. IS. 14) Had he
attempted anything else IL would have been utter
folly. Had he relied upon sacrifices or cere-
monies OF any kind. he would have failed. No
tice how closely he joins his act and Gods act.
There was no delay, no bewilderment. no long
gave. q John i. 90 That was the whole story.
CONFlDENCE.-One mans good experience
comforts every other who hears of IL. Oh Cor.
i. ~ II a Western miner finds gold hundreds
more go TO the same place to dig. The records
Of divine pardon and human blessedness are the
richest treasures OF the race. a literature inspir-
ing confidence in all who read. David declares
that after he had sinned. repented and found
forgiveness. every one would be induced to pray.
he had been such a great offender. his offense
was so notorious. that no one could despair. HIS
restoration marked an epoch in the displays of
wondrous grace. Paul had a similar thought
Affections and temptations. when the rains de-
godly man who has thus learned 10 pray, will be
undisturbed. lisa. xiii. % He will reDose in
der care watches over those who turn 10 Him
Thus Davids conversion is made an untold bless
REFUGE.-From the contemplation OF good
s 5Ea VIII vii f0me TO r others r the Psalmis revsrts
features OF a new experience. The thoughts arc
egotistic and altruistic. vibrating between ones
own rain and the profit that VIII come TO tbs
but others had a share in IL. from. xiv. - Blu
David eonsiSerine on" that teG tpe,bIes u shmei fac,- =
him. declares that God was his hiding place
the same God who forgave would protect psalm
TX. - There seems TO come over him at this
point some remembrance OF earlier life. when ht
was hotly pursued or closely besieged. Il Sam
shut in. he would be preserved. eek. XVI This
great thought was an inspiration or a deduction
that a eer pardonin ae0e Coz sds1 viii iot be a a ms keep pl eeG GoG
from. V, % Ii evils are removed from tn.
tRom. viii sso David was anticipaaing the ex.
periences Of triumph and rest granted to tbs
apostles: he heard above all alarms songs Of
DOC -iTY.-In the seventh verse David spoke
10 GOD the confidence of his own heart. In thu
eighth ard ninth verses God spoke 10 him. or
the higher spiritual planes such intercourse /;
why men hear so little from God is that theii
ears are stopped. Matt. xiii. 49, The Psalms
pardoned sinner. And what is it? Not a dis
closure OF mysteries that belong only to God
duty is to be determined. The law has done il
work. tRon. viii. 80 But instruction I'm TIT
the true path OF holy living. Listen TO that wor,
Instruction, An opening to the understandin
From the moment of pardon be ready 70 receiy,
instruction. Il Pet. ii. p Then God viii guild
with His eye,-HiS eye shah be upon the learne
10 witness his behavior. Then comes the ex
hortation: BE not as the horse. guided by bi
ard bride. Be a man. acting freely, gladly. &C
cording 10 what you know OF the divine will, :
not by compulsion but in love.
.~cONTRAsT.-It is now time for the swee
singer of Israel TO bring his hymn TO a close
He has celebrated the tender mercy OF God to
ward him, reviewed his former distress. show
will be upon others. breathed out his assurance
in the ear OF God and received a message for IN
future. IN conclusion he desires to exhibit IN
startling contrast between the righteous and tn
wicked, for the spiritual benefit OF the former
Hccl. viii. II. 49, Many sorrows shall be I
the wicked he eyclaims. without giving pan
Oversees 3 and A. Into his statement one ma
read the lcng-drawn story OF wretchedness q
the worldwide race. (Rom. viii. 22) Turnin
away from the dark picture he ~joyfully and ex
trusts in the Lord. After all David preferre
this brighter side of his life. And so nc ex
horts; BE glad rejoice shout" all v
that are upright in heart. ezra fi. III of n
people on the globe entitled 10 happiness. non
have so good reason to rejoice as they who loo
within TO an approving conscience and look up I
an approving God.
CONCLCSION.-We have been studyir~ wha
was written nearly three thousand years agC
In all countries mans needs are the same. Tri
religion. all accessories removed. IL the same
way of peace.-the same under the old disnersa
ton as under the new dispensation. David an
Paul, both sinners. find pardon and peace in m
same way WhosOeVer Will may come in Xix
manner. None have fallen so low but ther ma
rise. None have wandered so far but that the
may return. None have sinned 80 crievousi
that y they repent they may not be forgiven
Oh. the pain and sorrow OF the sinner. VIII
carry these longer? Oh. the sweet rest an
peace OF pardon Who will not seek and find
Matt xi. 2S) Aceuaint now myself with co
and be at peace; thereby good shall come UNI
thee. Job xxi. 2i)