THE WOE OF SIN AND THE PRAISE OF DELIVERANCE
PSALM 31:1-18
PSALM 31:1-18
Key verse: v.10, “For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.”
Introduction:
“The dedication to the chief musician proves that this song of mingled measures and alternate strains of grief and woe was intended for public singing, and thus a deathblow is given to the notion that nothing but praise should be sung.” —Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon.
Some folks only want to hear the praise, however, life is full of woe because of our sin. The forgiveness of that sin is the reason for our praise. Consider the Conviction of Sin in this PASSAGE.
I. THE WOE OF SIN
A. The sinner’s “life is spent with grief,” and mourning, v. 10.
1. The loss of loved-ones, Ruth 1:20, “And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.”
2. Even the Lord is affected by our mourning, John 11:33, “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,”
3. Weeping is a big part of our life, Acts 9:39, “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”
B. My strength fails because of my sin, Psalms 38:3, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.”
1. Confession is needed, Psalms 51:3, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”
2. Repentance is the next step, Psalms 38:18, “For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.”
3. Forgiveness comes from the Lord, Psalms 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
C. My body is CONSUMED in BAD health, Psalms 32:4, “For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.”
1. Our life is SHORTENED by our sin, Psalms 102:3, “For my days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned as an hearth.”
2. Our hearts CONDEMN us for our sin, Psalms 102:4, “My heart is smitten, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my bread.”
D. Hearing the Gospel has brought REALIZATION of the TRUTH, Isaiah 6:5, “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
1. Sinners will NOT go to heaven, Matthew 25:32, 41, 46, “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 41- Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 46-And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”
2. The Ungodly will NOT stand in the assembly of the righteous, Psalm 1:4-6, “The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5-Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6- For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
II. THE PRAISE OF DELIVERANCE
A. “I trusted in thee, O Lord,” v. 14; Psalms 16:1, “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.”
1. “Thou art my God,” Psalms 31:14, “But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.”
2. “Thou hast the words of eternal life,” John 6:68-69, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69- And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”
B. “Oh how great is thy goodness,” v. 19; Isaiah 35:10, “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”
1. The ransomed of the Lord will be free, John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
2. The treasures of God’s mercy are laid up in store for his children, Psalms 16:11, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
3. God has given His children a new song, a song of praise, Psalms 149:1, “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.”
CONCLUSION:
The woe of sin is a terrible thing to experience and there is no lack of trouble in this world. However, the Lord sent His Son, Jesus, to take care of the sin problem. He has paid the price the Lord demanded on Calvary and everyone who trust Him finds salvation and praise for the Savior.