How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. (Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7-8, NASB)
The title of Psalm 32 is “Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.” Indeed, if one is sure that he/she is forgiven, then that is cause for true joy. How can we know for certain that we’re forgiven? The Bible says that if we’ve received the gift from God of His Son Jesus Christ, then we are forgiven. Jesus was crucified as a sacrifice acceptable to God the Father, and through His death He took the punishment we deserve!
The first few lines of the Psalm repeat that the one who’s forgiven is blessed, and is also blameless before the Lord. King David, who elsewhere is described as wholehearted for God, is an excellent example of the blessed man. The Old Testament is full of instances where he messed up (adultery, murder, defying God’s commandments,etc.). But in those cases, he confessed his sins to God, paid the consequences, and was forgiven.
David goes on to call the Lord “my hiding place,” and God answers that He will teach David “in the way you should go,” and that He would be watching out for David! I myself would dare to add that “Blessed is the one who is sheltered by the Lord, and receives His teaching!”
Excerpt from Psalm 32,found at mothersforprodigals.com
Actually, that is exactly what happens! God provides a hiding place to those who seek Him. I think of a shield; protection; a fortress; a shelter from whatever storm I face; or to borrow a phrase from today’s college kids, a “safe space.” Yes, God is the ultimate safe space! He is also the best teacher. He instructs me daily – – when I allow Him. You see, I’m my own worst enemy. God is available for instruction, but my daily prayer is that I don’t hinder the Holy Spirit from teaching me what He would that I learn. Even with my ALS, I can still do Bible study, and “listen!” for God’s instruction!
Worship: “You are My Hiding Place,” by Selah