Wed., 8/24/16 Devotion (Ps. 32:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 32:1, where we read these words:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

If sins are covered—and they can only be atoned for by apprehending the benefits of Christ's sacrifice of Himself on the cross, by faith—then a person is truly blessed. If a soul lives in unforgiveness before the Lord, that soul can in no way be truly happy, or at peace—because it lies under the constant and righteous condemnation of a perfectly holy God.

Forgiven people are not perfect people—we continue to sin, while we live here. But the guilt of all our trespasses is forever removed, and our iniquity is not "imputed" to us, (see v. 2). Instead, Christ's perfect righteousness is im-puted to us. Who are these amazingly-blessed people? Believing Christian churchmen—who do not trust in themselves, but in Jesus alone.

[Puritan quote of the day: "We then, who are Christians, having made a vow to Christ in baptism, and so often renewed it in the blessed sacrament [of the Lord's Supper], should, with much contentment, choose rather to suffer than violate our sacred oath.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Art of Divine Content-ment"]