COVERUPS STINK

COVERUPS STINK

READ:
Psalm 32:1-5

Blessed is he whose
transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
-Psalm 32:1

The smell at an overflowing garbage landfill site became a growing public concern.  So workers installed high-pressured deodorant guns to counteract the smell.  The cannons could spray several gallons of fragrance a minute over a distance of up to 50 yards across the mounds of putrefying garbage.  However, no matter how many gallons of deodorant are sprayed to mask the odorous rubbish, the fragrance will serve only as a cover-up until the source of the stench is removed.

King David tried a cover-up as well.  After his adultery with Bathsheba, he attempted to use silence, deceit, and piety to mask his moral failures (2 Samuel 11-12).  In Psalm 32 he talks about experiencing the intense convicting hand of God when he remained silent (vv.3-4).  Unable to withstand the conviction any longer, David uncovered his sin by acknowledging, confessing, and repenting of it (v.5).  He no longer needed to cover it because God forgave him.

It's futile to try to hide our sin.  The stench of our disobedience will seep through whatever we use to try to cover it.  Let's acknowledge to God the rubbish in or hearts and experience the fresh cleansing of His grace and forgiveness. Marvin Williams

Father, I know that I cannot hide my sins from You
for You know what's in my heart.  I confess them now to
You.  Cleanse me, forgive me, and help me
to make a brand-new start. Amen.
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Own up to your sin and experience
the joy of confession.

INSIGHT
Psalm 32 is one of seven penitential psalms (Psalms 6; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143) - prayers of confession that express contrition, repentance, and turning to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness.  Many scholars believe that David penned Psalm 51 before Psalm 32, in which he celebrates the forgiveness he received (32:1-2).  He encourages sinners to seek the Lord, to submit to Him, and to repent sooner rather than later, lest they too are disciplined by the Lord (vv.3-6, 8-11).  Those who repent see their chastening cease, can have their guilt replaced by joy, and their groaning replaced with rejoicing.  They are surrounded by the Lord's unfailing love (v.10).

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace