“How blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.” Psalm 32:1
Several years ago, the New York Times covered the story of a man by the name of Robert Salzman who because of a difficult childhood spent most of his life in prison. In 2001, at age 51, he was released from prison only to find great difficulty in embracing the fact that he was free. In 2010, after years of struggle to truly walk in his freedom, a unique event happened while he was on a New York Subway. He was discovered by Rashad Ernesto Green, a film producer who was looking for someone to portray a “tough character” in an upcoming film. After an audition, the producer surprised everyone when he gave Salzman the role. While filming with Green on location in a Long Island penitentiary, an exhausted Salzman fell asleep on a cot in one of the prison cells. When he woke up, he became briefly confused and thought he was still a prisoner. Salzman started weeping in despair until it slowly occurred to him that he was now a free man. Salzman was overwhelmed afresh and anew by the joy of knowing that at any moment he had the freedom to walk out of that cramped cell and through the prison doors. On the other side of the prison walls he could truly enjoy his new life of freedom.[Corey Kilgannon, “Sidewalk Is His Prison Yard,” The New York Times (3-11-11)]
The person who trusts in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin is truly freed from sin regardless of his or her past. But often we, like Salzman, forget that we have already been freed. And sometimes we still live in the confinements of our sinful past.
Do you know what it is like to be forgiven – truly forgiven? Do you know the freedom of release from the bondage and penalty of sin? From the guilt and blame of sin?
An Inspired Reminder
Psalm 32:1 captures David’s joyful announcement of forgiveness: “how blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven.” But this becomes more than the opening to a chorus of praise. Notice that this Psalm bears the title, Maskil. Most scholarship would agree that this title describes not only the musical composition, but the contemplative nature of the content as well. Maskil is used in connection with David and signifies a didactical expression of truth – as David would lead and instruct God’s people in a contemplative consideration for their own spiritual benefit. And, in Psalm 32, forgiveness becomes the topic of significant contemplation for the worshipper.
A Personal Perspective of David
David once prayed, “return to me the joy of my salvation.” His words doubtlessly identify with many today who have allowed the status of “forgiven” to become glossed over by the superficial polish of religious activity. I am sure there have been occasions for all of us when trying to be good by attempting good things shadowed the ultimate truth that in Christ we are completely forgiven and fully accepted by God.
So, today, in a simple and precise way, allow David’s presentation of a maskil to inform your heart with what your head has probably already be told: if your faith is in Jesus, YOU ARE FORGIVEN. In Psalm 32:5, David moved briefly from the first chair of worship leader to the vulnerable and familiar position of penitent worshipper and exclaimed, “You have forgiven the guilt of my sin.”
Your life
So today, in Christ Jesus you are forgiven. You do not have the live bullied by the guilt of past sins. Child of God, you are forgiven.
Henry Cloud once said, “the opposite of bad is not good in God’s economy. We can never be good enough. The opposite of bad is love.” Christ will change your bad to receiving His love. If your faith is in JESUS, let go of the blame and guilt of the past, and live free!!!
Blessings,
Ken
READ
Read Psalm 32:1-11 and join David in celebrating a life forgiven.
