Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-06-19
LESSON FOR JUNE 10
sLEssEDNEss OF FORGIVENESS

LESSON TExTPsalm -
GOLDEN TEXT-Blessed Is he whose
transgression is forgiven. whose sin Is
coyered-Psafm 32-1
This psalm is believed to have
grown out of David's experience with
Nathan (see Rom 1853 It is the
second of the seven so-called "peni-
tential psalms C. 30, IS. 81, 1O2, $50.
143)- While it is sad, 1t is at the same
time one of the most joyful of all
psalms 1t 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.
I. The State or Condition of Happl-
ness I'd What is happiness? w.
1, 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. .'Transgression"
means rebellion, sin" to miss the
mark (Rom 1920; .-iniquity," to be
we are expressly told the result prov
2S:13), but God literally takes away
when he forgives and covers sin
(John 1929; Ps 1912; s5:2). Nei-
Their man or devil can uncover what
he has covered CD Who is unhappy?
wv. 3, 4. Contrasted with the state or
condition of happiness granted to the
forgiven sinner is presented that of
| those unforgiven- 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 q
/ Sam 12-3D. The origin of the word
| Selah is not known II probably indi-
Gated a musical interlude and in this
| psalm most appropriately and dramat-
/ icaIly appears CD How we may be
happy, w. 5, 6. All sin is uncovered
| to God. His all-seeing 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 and
such faith has as it's first condition
| confession, Il acknowledged my sin"
Such confession is full and frank,
, Nothing is held back nor has 1t any
| element of hypocrisy. and it always
secures results q John 1:9; Luke Is:
20-23).
The cody man, the man who is the
| recipient of Gods grace thus bestowed,
| prays in a time when thou mayest be
! found or tsee margin) lin the time
| of finding out sin" (v. r. W. The
| prophet tells us that there Is a time
when we may not find God lisa $3.50
and Paul tells US when he may be
found Gil Cor. SD
II. How to Continue in the State of
Being Happy. % Our security ". -.
When men forgive they do not cover"
What God hides he fcrgets lisa 3s-17 Z;
Micah 7:19). Our security. our hid
ing place" is Jehovah. Our preseryer
is Jehovah Cps. e1:31; Isa- 1921, %
| Jehovah preserves from trouble those
whom he forgives Cps 81: 49, Such
men have a serenity, a peace" even
| the peace of God" which the sinner
| can never have lisa 1853; Rom 81;
Phil AID. CD Our instructor, wv s.
| 81 CAD Positiyely-we have one who
not only forgives and blots out the
past but one who has promised to
instruct" to teach" and to guide"
ton of the personal pronouns in verse
| indicate that God is speaking in
| response to Davfd's appeal recorded in
| verse g. Jehovah guides with his EYE
upon" us " R. W He instructs
us by his spirit through his Word
Cps. 119:1O5; John 1919 OBJ Neg
| atively-Some must needs be directed
| by "bit and Bride" Some have to
learn through bitter experience We
! have our choice Those who viii 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" w. 9 R VI though that
Is better than not to be brought near
/ at all CD Our faith ~ 81 What
kind OF life will Gods forgiven chill
/ dren livez What is one of the fore
/ most characteristics of a happy Hfez
| Here is the answer. He that trusteth
| in the Lord" This Is the conclusion
or the whole matter
Our only Joy Is In the Lord who
| hath 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 tPhil-