Psalm 32 - Does Sin Silence God? - 1

"Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. 
Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.' And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Therefore, let all the godly pray to You while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble.  You surround me with songs of victory.
The LORD says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.'
Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!" (Psalm 32 NLT)

Hello, Mrs. Kurtz. (cont'd from previous blog)
     The timing of me reading this couldn't have been any better. Just recently I was reading the book you gave me, 70 Years of Miracles, and I had been confused about parts that talked about how having unwillingness or sin between you and God can prevent or limit Him in hearing/answering prayers and working miracles. Specifically, I had underlines instances on pages 32 and 52 where the author claims this is the case. Is this true? Is there a wall between God and me because of my need to submit to Him in my heart? Does this prevent Him from listening to my prayers? This doesn't sound right to me...what does the Bible say?
     (from several blogs ago, with an earlier promise to return to this topic)
     I tend to think that I can get away with things; I don't think about the fact that there are consequences for my actions. This got me thinking: am I like this when it comes to my faith? Am I breaking commandments because it's convenient and easy, without realizing there are consequences for my sin?...does my continual sin and defiance mean that I am not saved? If I am not being punished for my sin right now, does that mean that I will face consequences later when I die, or just have something bad happen to me? If this is something I'm continually worried about, does that mean that I may not be on good terms with God/saved?...I haven't moved on from my sin or my "weak spots" because it's something I don't want to give up. Is that something that could cost me my salvation?
     This really makes me consider what I'm going to DO about my stubbornness. I am honestly so tired of my own BS and just talking about my unwillingness and only praying--not listening and responding. I understand that it is important to pray "to be willing to be made willing" because it is only through God changing my heart that my actions will change. It isn't my own doing, but through God's transforming me. Yet at the same time, I want to DO something. What are your thoughts on this?

 (cont'd, next blog)


Dear friend, (Note: this is now the second blog that is "Scripture heavy". I'm not trying to overwhelm you. It's just that some questions need a bigger context to handle them well. A pastor I had years ago used to say "the full counsel of God," meaning that you base your understanding on the Bible as a whole, not on a few selected verses.)

    Sin is wrong. Sin is rebellion against God. Sin is an offense to God. Sin separates us from God. Sin has consequences. As you read the passages linked below, I'd encourage you to make a list of what they say about sin's effects and God's response.

Genesis 3 (the original sin)
Isaiah 59 (v.2) *it's always good to read the verses in their context, the entire chapter is linked
Habakkuk 1 (v.13)
Psalm 32 (printed at the top of the blog)
Psalm 66 (v.18)
Romans 3 (v.23)
Romans 6 (v.23)
Romans 7

     These truths are hard to swallow, but that does not make them untrue or unfair.

     Some people read or hear of these and walk away from the Christian faith; they do not want such a harsh God. They judge God based on their standards, and they justify themselves. Does denying a truth make it untrue? (see Romans 1, especially verses 18-23, 2 Timothy 3, especially verses 1-5, and verse 13)
     Other people say that this was God in the Old Testament. He has a harsh judge. Now, they say, He is a God of mercy.  (see Malachi 3, especially verse 6: I LOVE that the last book of the Old Testament contains this phrase--the New Testament is not a change, it is a FULFILLMENT.)
     There is another option. Accept the truth for what it is. Realize the weight of sin.

Then, continue reading. 

Better yet, reread those passages. 

What else is there? 

You see, 

right from the beginning, 

there was a plan...

About the references in the book 70 Years of Miracles:

     Yes, on page 32 we read of Richard's awareness of sin. Although a young child, he realized that he had sinned, and that the sin had come from inside him. Richard understood that he was a sinner by nature, and that his sin separated him from God. If he had died, he would have been separated from God in hell. This is the condition of every human. Until we come to a realization of our sins and accept the truth about us, we cannot be saved. Reading on in the story (same page), we see that later he did come to Christ, confessing his sin. Isn't it interesting that it took some time before he was ready to surrender this? It seems that he was pretty stubborn!
     Yes, on page 52, we read of an event in Richard's life when he refused to submit to God's will. God pursued him, laid His hand heavily upon him, and would not respond with healing. Richard had known since childhood that God was calling him into ministry (page 43), but he was pursuing a completely different course. Does this mean he wasn't saved, or that he was in danger of losing his salvation? No. He was disobedient. God was still at work. God was doing what was best for Richard. This story always reminds me of Jonah, often called "the reluctant prophet". (PS: I'm thrilled that you're reading the book; there is so much to glean from his personal testimony!)

I hate to stop right here, as I've only shared part of the message  But, this is excessively long. We'll have to come back. In the meantime, search the Scriptures. Talk to God. Seek Him. Remember that I am praying for you!
   

• People often reject Christianity as "judgmental," and God as "cruel". They reject the concepts of sin and hell. Does rejecting truth resolve anything?

• Why do you (and I) have hope, if sin and hell are real?

• If God confronts you with your sin, what is His purpose? Is it to punish you, to torment you, to threaten your eternal state? Or is there a different purpose?

• What do the verses about sin reveal, not just about sin, but about mercy, forgiveness, restoration?

     

Heavenly Father, we do not want to stray from You. Yet we slip into sin so easily! And our stubborn, rebellious hearts do not want to bow to Your will. We want what we want. Thank You for working in us, for convicting us of sin, and for welcoming us back. Thank You for having plans for us that are greater than we can understand or imagine. We give ourselves to You. Will You fill us, transform us, conform us to the image of Your Son, Jesus? 

"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He did for me. For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw His unfailing love from me." 

(Psalm 66:16-20 NLT)

These song lyrics are a "musical prayer". The link to the song follows. This has been resonating in my heart; may it likewise minister to you.