“CRUMBLED FROM WITHIN”
OCTOBER 20, 2021
READ: Psalm 32 (Focus vs. 1–5; Matthew 7:1–5)
MEMORY VERSE
“I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5
BACKGROUND
When I was a teenager, my mom painted a mural on our living room wall, which stayed there for several years. It showed an ancient Greek scene of a ruined temple with white columns lying on their sides, a crumbling fountain, and a broken statue.
As I looked at the Hellenistic architecture that had once held great beauty, I tried to imagine what had destroyed it. I was curious, especially when I began studying about the tragedy of once great and thriving civilizations that had decayed and crumbled from within.
The sinful depravity and wanton destruction we see around us today can be troubling. It’s natural for us to try to explain it by pointing to people and nations that have rejected God. But shouldn’t we be casting our gaze inwardly as well?
Scripture warns us about being hypocrites when we call out others to turn from their sinful ways without also taking a deeper look inside our own hearts (Matthew 7:1–5).
Psalm 32 challenges us to see and confess our own sin. It’s only when we recognize and confess our personal sin that we can experience freedom from guilt and the joy of true repentance (vv. 1–5).
And as we rejoice in knowing that God offers us complete forgiveness, we can share that hope with others who are also struggling with sin.
By: Cindy Hess Kasper
INSIGHT
As mentioned in Psalm 32, the confession of sin can set us free. David explains that his unconfessed sin had physical effects on his body: “my bones wasted away” (v. 3); “my strength was sapped” (v. 4).
At the time, many believed physical pain, problems, and sickness were always the result of sin. Even though this isn’t the case, we know that our mental and emotional state can impact our physical well-being.
The three words for sin this psalm present:
transgressions (disobedience),
sins (missing the mark), and
iniquity (distorted character)—
are contrasted with three expressions of forgiveness –
forgiven, covered, and not counted against.
When we confess our sin, we’re forgiven and released from the emotional weight of a guilty conscience.
By: Julie Schwab
APPLICATION
What’s the first step in identifying sin in your life? Why is it vital that you confess your sin to God?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
Sin is like a seed. In the right soil it will grow. It’s best not to plant the seed of sin to begin with – pr
Just as with God there is no big sin and/or small sin – it’s all SIN – so He forgives all sin big and small. – pr
“Thy word have I hidden in my hear that I might not sin against Thee”
Psalm 119:11
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“When we confess our sin, we’re forgiven and released from the emotional weight of a guilty conscience.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
PRAYER
“Father God, I thank You for the gift of Your forgiveness that eliminates the guilt of my sin. Help me to first examine my own heart before I concern myself with the sins of others.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART”
Thy Word is a lamp to my feet,
A light to my path alway,
To guide and to save me from sin,
And show me the heav’nly way.
Thy Word have I hid in my heart
That I might not sin against Thee;
That I might not sin, that I might not sin,
Thy word have I hid in my heart.
Forever, O Lord, is Thy Word
Established and fixed on high;
Thy faithfulness unto all men
Abideth for ever nigh.
At morning, at noon, and at night
I ever will give Thee praise;
For Thou art my portion, O Lord,
And shall be through all my days!
Through Him whom Thy Word hath foretold,
The Saviour and Morning Star,
Salvation and peace have been brought
To those who have strayed afar.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF I KINGS CHAPTERS CHAPTERS 8-14
THE BOOK OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES CHAPTERS 19-26