The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-06-11

LESSON FOR JUNE 10

Au3I1I0Ie5 NnlC1&o.}
LESSON FOR JUNE 13
sLEssEDNEss or FORGIVENESS.
LESSON TExT-Psalm 81
GOLDEN TExT-Blessed Is he whose
transgression Is forgiven. whose ain Il
c~overed-Psalm 81
This psalm Is believed to have
grown out of David's experience with
Nathan (see Rom. 1853. It IL the
second of the seven so-called "peni-
tential psalms" 6. 80. 80, 81. 100, 100,
1881. While 1t is sad. it is at the same
time n OF the most joyful OF all
psalms. It is the record of bitter sor-
row and also Of heartfelt praise, and
is as vital in its message today as the
day 1t was given to the world.
l. The State or Condition Of Happi-
ness (1) What 10 happiness? w.
l, I. 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 Al king enjoyed the
pleasures of life, but he also knew the
result Of hidden sin, Of sins covered.
The joy of forgiveness Is offered t o
all who accept Gods gift of justifica-
ton (Acts 10:43). The psalmist seems
to multiply words. "Transgression"
means rebellion; 'sin'' to miss the
mark (Rom. 1929; "inlquity," to be
crooked. When men try to cover sin
uy0 1-~~n~cI~y k11A 49, -o~,1k fn---
28:13), but God literally takes away
when he forgives and covers" sin
John 1923; Ps. 1912; $50. Mel
ther man or devil can uncover what
he has covered. t2) Who is unhappy?
Wv. 8, 4. Contrasted with the state or
condition of happiness granted to the
forgiven sinner Is presented that of
those u~nforgiven. David kept silence
without only to have a raging tempest
withfn-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 e
Sam. 12:31). The origin of the wore
Selah is not known. 1t probably indi-
Gated a musical interlude and in this
psalm most appropriately and dramat-
ically appears. CD How we may be
happy, w. 5, 6. All sin is uncovered
to God. His all-seeing y can pene-
trate mans futile endeavors to hide
his transgressious. The first step to
forgiveness and to happiness is con
fession OF guilt. Gods heavy hand
wrought saving faith in David and
such faith has as its first condition
confession, 81 acknowledged my sim"
Such confession is full and frank.
Nothing is held back nor has 1t any
element of hypocrisy, and it always
secures results Il John 1:9; Luke Is:
20-23).
The godly man. the manawho Is the
recipient of Gods grace thus bestowed,
prays In a time when thou mayest be
found" OF (see margin) Gin the time
of finding out sin" (v. 6 r. W. The
prophet tells us that there is a time
when we may not find God Elsa. $3.50
and Paul tells us when he may be
found (H Cor. 6:2).
IL. How to Continue in the State Of
Being Happy. ~ Our security ". ~.
When men forgive they do not cover"
What God hides he forgets Elsa. 38:17;
Micah 7:19). Our security, our ibid
ing place" is Jehovah. Our preserver
is Jehovah FPS. 91:31; lisa. 1921, p.
Jehovah preserves from trouble those
whom he forgives Cps. 34:19). Such
men have a serenity, a peace" even
the peace of God" which the sinner
can never have Elsa. 26:3; Rom. 81;
Phil. 40. (2) Our instructor wv. 8,
81. (a) Positiyely-we have N who
not only forgives and blots out the
past but n who has promised to
instruct" to teach" and to guide"
Nearly all believe that the introduce
ton of the personal pronouns in verse
6, indicate that God is speaking in
response to David's appeal recorded In
verse s. Jehovah guides with his "eye
upon" US ". 8 r. W He instructs
us by his spirit through his Word
FPS. 119:1O5; John 1919. CD Neg
atively-Soue must needs be directed
by 'ebit and bridle." Some have t o
learn through bitter experience. We
have our 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
Kun dlISI Sill. Ou1y Illus Call bOA10
come near" (v. 9 R. W though that
is better than not to be brought lei
at all. (3) Our faith ". 81. What
kind Of a life viii Gods forgiven chill
dren live? What Is one of the fore
most characteristics Of a happy life?
Here is the answer, n that trusteth
in the Lord" This Is the conclusion
Of the whole matter.
Our only Joy is In the Lord "who
hath lone marvellous things whereof
we are glad"
Christ is the iEcarnate 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 ~28:18-20l.
Joy and impurity are never compan-
ions. Only the pure can purity. Only
the heartily a heal. Only the right
eous and free can pardon.
1 Z En-S-1-- 81 49, 80