The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-12
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOB
AUGUST 16.
Lesson Text: ssDavid's Confession
and Forgiveness" Psalm xxxii.,
1-11-Golden Text: Psalm H.,
1O-Commentary.

!. "BleSSed is be whose tranSgreSSton ID
forgiven, whose sin is covered Oh, the
happiness of the one who has heard the
Lord say, 81, even I, am He that blotteth
out thy trangressions for Mine own sake and
will not remember thy sins" elsa xliii., 25).
part OF His name Is "the Lord God, merci-
full and gracious forSiving iniquity and
transSression and sin" (Ex. 1xxiv., SD. In
stead OF studying the story OF David's great
sin as recorded in the chapters In Samuel,
following our last lesson, our attention Is in
this lesson called to Davld's penttence and
forgiveness. While God hates sin and can
not look upon it, he is ever ready to forgive
the true penitent and urges him to come In
such words as Isa. l., IS: Jer. ill.,. IL: Hos.
xiv, l.. 2. This Man still receiveth sinners.
2. "Blessed Is the man unto whom the
Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose
spirit thele is no guile" God was, In Christ,
reconclling the world unto Himself, not in
putting their trespasses unto them (II Cor.
", 19). Abraham believed God and It was
imputed unto him for righteousness. and he
was called the Friend Of God (Jas. H., 23).
This righteousness came not through any
good works of Abraham, but wholly of grace
(Rom. iv., 3-s). Transgresston Is a going
beyond or doing what we should not do; sin
Is coming short Of what We should do,
while iniquity is the root of the matter. but
IOQ lOr CuClSI b Sahe puts away luo Sulll vi
the whole business, for every true penltent
turns to Him.
8. when kept silence, my bones waxed
old through my roaring all the day long"
Unconfessed sin, like gathering wound,
swells and torments. He that covereth his
sins shall not prosper, but whose confesseth
and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy
prov. xviii, 13). When our iniquities
separate between US and our God and our
sins hide His face from US elsa. lix., p, 1t Is
indeed dark with our souls. but what COM
fort there is in this word, "If we confess our
sins, He is faithful and just to forgive US our
sins and to cleanse US from all unrighteous-
ness Il John l., 81.
4. "For day and night Thy hand was
heavy upon me. My moisture is turned into
the drought of summer. Selah." 1t was the
loving hand of loving God longing for the
fellowship of His child who had turned away
from Him. Whatever God does, 1t is to lead
US to Himself. for He willeth not the death
of sinner (II Pet. ill.,. 81. He does every
thing possible to deliver from the pit and to
give Lie and peace (Job xx1iii.. 49, "a, 99. 90).
The word selah suggests that here We pause
and mediate.
S. 81 acknowledge MY sin unto Thee and
mine iniquity have not hid. said I will
confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
md Thou forgayest the iniquity of my sin.
Selah." SpurGeon has said that confession
Is the lance which relieves the fostering
wound. Confession Is deeper than merely
asking forgiveness: the latter may be
through fear OF consequences, but the
former shows true penitence. If We have
wronged any one. confession and restitution
must be made to them II possible, but first
aud always to God and as in His sight, for
all sin is against Him. Thou forgavest"-
what word to consider! Are you this mo-
ment rejoicing that God for Christs sake has
forgiven you? (Eph. iv., 80; John H., 12).
6. "For this shall every one that Is godly
pray unto Thee il time when Thou mayest
be found" Every rejoicing forgiven one
encourages others to come Cps. H., 12, 1S).
There is time and way to find Him and a
time when He may not be found. See Isa.
w., 6: Jer. xix, 10; Prov. l., %, 29. In the
city OF refuge the man who otherwise might
have been put to death was perfectly safe.
In Christ there is no condemnation, for He
has been delivered for our offenses and
raised again for our justification, and the
sins cannot be found which, by His blood,
have been blotted out (Rom. iv., 25; Will, y.
7. "Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt
preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt COM
pass me about with songs Of deliverance.
Selah." See the three "Thous" in this
verse. he is our Refuge. Preserver, Deliv-
erer. It is Himself. not anything or anyone
else. God is our refuge and strength; the
Lord Of Hosts is with US (Ps. xlvi., l. y.
Rejoice in the Lord; bless the Lord; wait on
thy God continually. Ny soul wait thou
only upon God (Ps. xxxiii., L: x1xiv., L;
kill, S; Hos. xiii, g..
8. 81 will instruct thee and teach thee in
the way which thou shalt 20; will guide
Al N1k Anl,
forgiveness and safety, rest and peace, for
all who turn to Him, but also sure guidance
in all the affairs of life for all who are will
ing to be guided. The marginal reading,
~ will counsel thee, Mine eye shall be upon
thee" tells us that not only will He direct
US, but He will watch us to gee that We get
there. See also the very precious assurances
Of guidance In Isa., Xxx, al. xviii. II;
lviii., Ii.
9. BE ye not as the horse or as the mule,
which have no understanding, whose mouth
must be held in with bit and bride, lest they
come near unto thee" The R. V. says,
"Whoss trappings must be bit and bride to
hold them in, else they will not come near
unto thee" As to these animals being guided
by bit and bride they are often more easily
guided than their masters, but the thought Of
their coming near only as compelled by the
circumstances of bit and bride Is very sug-
gestive of many people who will not come
near to God except as compelled by circum-
stances.
10. "Many sorrows shall BE- to the wicked,
but he that trusteth In the Lord mercy shall
compass him about" This reference to the
wicked must be taken In the light OF all
Scripture, which tells us elsewhere that
sometimes the wicked prospereth in his way
and Drtngeth wicked devices to pass. They
are not In trouble as other men; their eyes
stand out with fatness, they have more than
heart could wish (Ps. Ixxvii., 7;lxxiii., S, y.
But they shall perish, they shall be cut of.
Then their prosperity ends and their sorrows
begin and shall never end.
II. "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice ye
righteous, and shout for joy all ye that are
upright In heart" No good thing Is with
held from them that walk uprghtly (Ps.
lxxxiv.. lD. he who spared not His own
Son will with Him freely give US all things
(Rom. viii, 32). It becomes US. therefore,
to say that though all else fail, Yet will
rejoice in the Lord, will joy in the God OF
my salvation" (Hab. ill.,, 1S). The Lord
Himself is our unchanging and unfailing
portion. There is nothing that He cannot
and will not do for those who trust in Him.
Rejoice in the Lord Away. Lesson Helper.