Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-06-11

GOLDEN TEXT-BleSsed is he whose
transgression is forgiven. whose sin is
-overed-Psalm 32:1.
This psalm is believed to have
grown out of David's experience with
Nathan (see Rom. 1853. 1t is the
second of the seven so-called "peni-
tential psalms" 6. 80. So, 81, 1O2, 1870.
143). While it is sad, it is at the same
time n of the most joyful CT all
psalms. 1t is the record of bitter soE-
row and also of heartfelt praise, and
is as vital in it's message today as the
day it was given to the world.
]. h State or Cond.-.cn OF Happi-
ness. (1) What is happiness7 w.
f,2. The blessed or happy man is the
one whose sin is covered. God only
can forgive sin and has plainly set
before us his agency, viz, the shed
blood. David as king enjoyed the
pleasures of life, but he also knew the
result of hidden sin, of sins covered.
The joy of forgiveness is offered to
all who accept Gods gift of justifica-
ton (Acts 10:43). The psalmist seems
to multiply words. 'eTransgression"
means rebellion; s'sin" to miss the
mark (Rom. 1929; '~iniquity.' I o be
crooked. When men try to cover sin
we are expressly told the result prov.
2S:13), but God literally takes away
when he forgives and covers" sin
tJohn 1929; Ps. 1912; 85:2). Mel
Their man or devil can uncover what
he has covered. (2) Who is unhappy?
w 8, 4. Contrasted with the state or
condition of happiness granted to the
forgiven sinner is presented that OF
those u~nforgiyen. David kept silence
without only to have a raging tempest
within-lips silent, bones roaring"
During the days of David's silence fol-
lowing his sinful act he was guilty Of
increased acts of sin and cruelty "a
Sam. 12:31). The origin of the word
Selah is not known. It probably indi-
Gated a musical interlude and in this
psalm most appropriately and dramat-
ically appears. t3) How we may be
happy, w, 5, 6. All sin Is uncovered
to God. His allseeing eye can pene-
trate mans futile endeavors to hide
his transgressions. The first step to
forgiveness and to happiness is con-
fession of guilt. Gods heavy hand
wrought saving faith in David AID
such faith has as its first oend.L.an
confession, 81 acknowledged my sir.A
Such confession is full and frank.
Nothing is beid back nor has it suy
element Of hypocrisy, and it always
secures results q John 10; Luke 15:,
20-23). The next step is to ASK
(Luke 11:9, 100; then there is "fcf-
~gfveness;" then there is imputed to
sess and we have forgiveness of sin
luke 22:37; James 2:233; Ps. 1913;
Lev. 4:20; Matt. 26:2S).
The godly man, the man who is the
recipient of Gods grace thus bestowed
prays in a time when thou nayest be
found" or (see margin) lin the time
Of finding out sin" ". 6 R. W. The
prophet tells US that there is a time
when we may not ind God lisa. 55:6)
and Paul tell US when he may be
found Gil Cor. 6:2).
II. How TO Continue in the State Of
Being Happy. "a Dur security ". y.
When men forgive they do not cover"
What God hides he forgets lisa. 38:f7;
Micah 7:19). Our security, our hid
ing place" is Jehovah. Our preserver
is Jehovah Cps. S1:31; lisa. 32:1, ~.
Jehovah preserves from trouble those
whom he forgives FPS. 34:19). Such
men have a serenity, a peace" even
the peace of God" which the sinner
can never have lisa. 26:3; Rom. ST.,
Phil. 40. (2) Our instructor wv 8,
81. (a) Positively-we have one who
not only forgives and blots out the
past but one who has promised to
instruct" to teach" and to guide"
Nearly all believe that the introduc-
ton of the personal pronouns in verse
s indicate that God is speaking in
response to David's appeal recorded in
verse 6. Jehovah guides with his EYE
upon" US ~. 8 R. W He instructs
US by his spirit through his Word
FPS. %119:105; John 1919. OBJ Neg
atively-Some must needs be directed
by "bit and Bride" Some have to
learn through bitter experience. We
have III choice. Those who will not
listen to instruction are compared to
the horse and the mule who "have no
understanding" Even so they are
more useful than those who wildly
run after sin. Only thus can some
come near" ". 9 r. W though that
is better than not to be brought neal
at all. go Our faith ". 81. What
kind of a life will Gods forgiven chill
dren live? What is one of the fore
most characteristics of a happy life?
Here is the answer. "He, that trusteth
in the Lord" This is the conclusion
of the whole matter. The man of faith
"overcomes the world" This man is
free from the many sorrows of the
wicked, for he is the recipient of the
mercy, the grace of Jehovah, whose
mercies compass him about" That
mercy keeps him and through it evil
cannot break in upon him. Outside
of that mercy are the sorrows of the
wicked like a raging sea rom. 2:
s, 81. ca Our Joy. Thrice over the
psalmist reiterates his cry of glad
ness, B glad rejoice
shout" (v. ~. He expresses it in the
form of a command. ever as Paul later
commands the church at Philippi to
Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4).
Our only joy is in the Lord who
bath done marvellous things whereof
we are glad"
Christ is the incarnate mercy and
grace of God. In him we have Gods
forgiveness.
He supplies our every need (Phil.
4:19). He pardons, heals, restores, di-
reefs, gives power (Matt. 28:1S-2O.
Joy and impurity are never comnan-
ions. Only the pure "a purify. Only
the healthy can heal. Only the right
eous and free can pardon.
Christ alone can save, for he alone
needs no saving.
Rejoice in Jehovah! and leap for
joy, o righteous! and gladly shout all
We upright in heart."-Maclaren.