by Mike Ratliff
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2 ESV)
I debated with myself for a while about the title of this post. There is a part of me that still wants the name of it to be “What a Saviour!” My brethren, there is mischief afoot caused by a misunderstanding fostered by the deceit of the enemy of our souls. That mischief is to convince Christians that there is no need to hear the Gospel anymore now that they are safe in the arms of their Saviour. What rubbish! My times of struggling with my flesh and with overcoming the world always coincide when I am overwhelmed with discernment work or some other business that keeps me from simply expositing Sacred Scripture that points me to the Cross of the Christ. Also, proper worship should also do that very thing.
When I struggle as I stated above it seems there is a root of bitterness in me that wants to move in and take over. What amazes me is that I am perfectly aware that it is happening and no matter how much “I try” to stop it, in my distractions, it seems to have control. As I left class today, I ran right into a massive traffic jam. Fortunately, I was able to move over, take the next exit, and take the “long way home.” What should have been a 30 minute trip turned into a 50 minute trip. I was joyful all day after my good time in the Word last night. However, as I dealt with problems remotely while in class as well as other issues, by the time I hit the road to go home, I was back to being temporally focused. It got my attention because at lunch I remember joyfully thanking God for helping me dig up that root of bitterness and do away with it.
As I sat down here to prepare for this post, I put on my favorite “Gospel” song, at least, my favorite since I have been going through seizures and shoulder problems and therapy, depression, et cetera. The song is titled “Blessed is the One” and is on the Sovereign Grace album – Psalms. The lyrics are by Doug Plank and are based on Psalm 32. First, here is Psalm 32.
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32 ESV)
This Psalm along with Psalm 51 stands out as confessional giants. The early church classified it as one if its seven penitential Psalms along with Psalm 6, Psalm 38, Psalm 51, Psalm 102, Psalm 130, and Psalm 143. When I read it, I see the Gospel all through it. I see God’s mercy, grace, and the fact that only those whose sins are forgiven are His. Oh, what a joy it is to know that that is true!
Here are the lyrics of “Blessed is the One”
Blessed is the one whose sins are overcome
Whom God has sheltered deep within His grace
Blessed is the one who trusts in God the Son
His steadfast love the sinner’s hiding place
Jesus, Your blood covers all my sin
Jesus, Your love draws my heart to sing
What a Savior, Jesus
I will always hide at my Savior’s side
I find my refuge in His sovereign care
When the waters rise, God will hear my cries
His steadfast love will hold me safely there
© 2008 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)
Here is a link to a sample of the audio. I highly recommend the song to you.
My brethren, the point I am trying to make is that we must never stop preaching the Gospel to ourselves or hearing it preached to us. It is powerful not only for the salvation of souls, but to draw each of us to the Saviour’s side for healing so we can walk in repentance.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Sometimes we just have to encourage ourselves in the Lord…Right king David?!?!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+30&version=ESV
Absolutely true Mickey!
Blessings Mike,
Been following your blog for a few years now. I so appreciate your Gospel centered teachings. Keep up the the good fight Brother. I especially identify with how you have spiritually unclothed your sin nature and daily struggles in the flesh lately. I’m not alone. What a surprise!
Thanks Ron. Jesus’ teaching in about abiding in Him when He said, “Without Me, you can do nothing…” has always struck home with me and as God has shown me how pietism is only a thin veneer over our flesh, well, I just want to spend as much time as I can pursuing Christ and being right at His side. My flesh is far from being dead. I know we are supposed to crucify it daily, deny self, take up our Crosses and follow Jesus, but that is a full time job and I am just learning how. Sounds like you are too brother.
The gospel is not like a vaccine where a person is inoculated and then is finished with it. The gospel is alive with fresh redemption for those in need and fresh revelation and strength for those who by faith have been transformed by it. So often God admonished the children of Israel to remember what He had done, and in the New Testament the Spirit exhorts us to remember how we were saved from a multitude of sins.
In fact, the more we grow in Christ the more we can understand the depth of that good news! When the gospel finds no home in the church then there is no church. Sadly today, much of the “church” teaches a god who can pay the mortgage but ignores the God who has paid for our sins.
What is crucifixition? Slow, paniful, public, degrading, embarrissing, destruction of the flesh, in full view of our enemies, and those who called themselves friends. Can I crucify myself? No! What I can do, is, like Jesus, lay down my (best) life (now) and submit to it…alone, from a physical man centered point of view…There aren’t any folks lining up for this blessing now are there?!?!
This is the hardest thing I have ever done! Yet I can’t even do it! I can’t add my work to accomplish it…I simply cease to strive in the flesh and allow Him to increase as I am decreased. Understand, that I was quite self reliant, and self confident…Apart from Him I could do alot! Now I know that apart from Him I can do nothing, that was my self deception, I could create success by man’s standards in most everything I attempted…all dead works! One of my, and churchianity’s chief deceptions is that I can decide, with my own corrupt mind, what is good and what is evil…that is the tree of death! Even if I invent the Red Cross, and make Mother Theresa envious of my good works/choices, I am condemmed as i did all these things, even in His name, by my own rightiousness! Oh, but for receiving eyes to see and ears to hear-unmerited Grace, irresistable Grace…The Tree of Life!!! Thank you Lord for Your Word, Your Holy Spirit, Your finished Work at Calvary, and for saving a wretch like me! I guarantee you this folks, Paul was chief among sinners, but I am more wretched!
Psalm 32 always makes me weep… that MY sins were put on Him ..and His righteousness now clothes me!
How to express my immense gratitude that ..While under that garment old depravity keeps rearing its head…Yet He hears my repeated confessions and forgives the iniquity of my sin!
What a Savior, indeed!
Thanks be to God, that Jesus drank the full cup of the Wrath of God meant for us, at Calvary! I NEVER can pay for my sins, and so I deserve the lake of Fire. But He made a way where there was no way for me! Believing ON Him…a continuous, “for the rest of my life” process, depending upon Him covers my transgressions! Either sin leaves me, or I am cast out with sin! He’s made a way! He is the Gate and He is the Path…The Way, the Truth, and the Life, not a one shot deal, and because of this, He works in me and through me to perfect me, so that I am able to overcome my sinfull nature, now being crucified. The things that held me, no longer hold me, not that I now receive my best life now, for this walk comes harder against me then ever before, but Christ Jesus through me defeats all that this world can muster against me! Peace, perfect peace in the middle of all storms…but I must keep my focus and intent upon Him, or like Peter, I begin to sink. He that began a good work in you IS Faithful to complete that work! Fall upon the Rock and be broken, or one day it falls on man, and grinds him to powder! I now know which yoke is easy, and burden is light!
Thanks Mike for your perserverence… We all need to remember that perserverence and faithfullness of the saints will be vital to our walk going forward!
Mike,
Your posts are always an inspiration.
Taking every step I make in faith and obedience to God humbles me on a daily basis.
Someone once asked me if I could praise God for the storms in my life….for the “traffic jams”. I had never really thought about it. When I actually started putting it into practice, I started to see and feel the changes within myself that could have only come from God. Things that used to frustrate me, didn’t seem that important any more. When people around me are mad or upset, I pray for them instead of reacting to the anger.
On our own, we can do nothing. With God, all things are possible.
Thank you for your discernment in your articles. I pray that the Lord continues to bless you and your ministry.
Truthseeker.