Psalm 32:1-11
1. There is a spiritual component to our happiness, v. 1-2
2. Anxiety is real but not all things are anxiety, v. 3-4
3. We have the capacity to affect our own happiness, v. 5
Three things David does to affect his own happiness…
1) I acknowledged my sin
2) I did not cover my iniquity
3) I confessed my transgression
“Confession to God is not merely admitting our sin as real but also rejecting our sin as repulsive. God demands that we turn from sin with repugnance because he is in the business of not just covering our sins but also of shaping our character.” -John Piper
Important distinctions in differences…
a) sin- missing the mark
b) transgression- crossing the line, more of a willful rebellion against a given standard
c) iniquity- the twistedness in us as a consequence of these other two. Relates more to the inner
character and points to a moral distortion which produces crooked behavior.
-Philippians 2:14-16
4. Our prayers become our experience, v. 6-7
Three things God does for the person who comes clean...
a) you are a hiding place for me
b) you preserve me from trouble
c) you surround me with shouts of deliverance
5. God is intimately and affectionately acquainted with everything having anything to do with you, v. 8-11
Hesed is the consistent, ever-faithful, relentless, constantly pursuing, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, furious love of our Father God.
Mental worship…
How often do you define happiness in spiritual terms?
In what ways, if any, do you contribute to the things that make you anxious?
How often do you have spiritual conversations that result in people wanting to better understand and experience God?
What is God shouting over you today?
Are you comfortable being loved by God the way God wants to love you?
If at lunch you could only talk about one part of the sermon, what part would you want to talk about?