Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt … Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. … And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

— Psalm 32:1-5

I’m just barely old enough to remember people using phrases such as “Groovy!” “Far out!” and “Outta sight!”

My age group replaced them with “Cool!” and “Awesome!”

I have no idea what young people today use as equivalent expressions.

Regardless, they all communicate a similar message: I like what is happening or what was just said. Throw an exclamation point on it, and it means I really, really like whatever was said or done.

As it turns out, people have had these types of expressions long before us.

I get the feeling David was in the loop on all the latest and greatest sayings of his day.

Here he uses “What joy!”

By using both the what and the exclamation point, he is over the top with joy as he writes this Psalm.

What has him so excited? Why the passionate proclamation?

In a word, forgiveness.

He was absolutely astounded that the regret and shame that had crushed him for so long was lifted.

His wrongdoing was no longer in view.

His record was expunged.

His guilt was gone.

How cool is that? Groovy to the max cool for sure.

What joy! Awesome! Outta sight!

Whichever one you pick, they could never overstate the amazing wonder of being made right with God.

When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, all the charges against us were nailed there with him.

Ours is to humbly acknowledge before him our need for forgiveness.

Whoever believes in him will be delivered from his or her guilt.

We don’t need to try to hide it anymore. We don’t need to live wondering where we stand with God.

Are you living under the weight of your sin or in the wonder of his mercy?

Fireside

The Lord said to Moses: “Give Aaron and his sons this command: These are the regulations for the burnt offering: The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar. … The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously, it must not go out.”

— Leviticus 6:8-13

Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.

— I Thessalonians 5:19

There’s no way for me to calculate the number of campfires I’ve sat around.

Even as a child, my parents had us at camp sharing wonderful fireside moments together.

From then to today, these fireside moments are filled with singing, praying, storytelling, laughter, tears and moments with God so all- encompassing that time has no meaning.

What is the common denominator to all of these thousands of moments? The fire.

By light and by warmth, it draws us into deep connection with God and each other.

The only thing needed is to keep adding wood so it doesn’t go out.

As God was establishing the nation of Israel with him at the center, he emphatically instructed the priests to never let the fire on the altar go out. Keep it burning.

The altar was the place of worship. It was the place of cleansing and forgiveness.

The people would come to the altar with their sacrifices and leave knowing they were right with God.

It reminded the people they belonged to God, that he was present with them and his heart was for them.

“The fire,” God told Moses, “must not go out.”

Jesus promised the Apostles in Acts 1 that they would receive power to be his witnesses throughout the world. This power would be theirs when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.

In Acts 2, during the annual harvest celebration, he comes. Like tongues of fire upon them, he comes.

At the end of that day, 3,000 people from nations near and far put their trust in Jesus for salvation.

Paul writing later told the church in Thessalonica to not put out the Spirit’s fire.

Today we choose. Will we add fuel to the fire, or will we extinguish it?

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.