Psalm 51 (written after Dave had been with Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet comes to him)
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar."
2 Samuel - Chapters 11 and 12 -
Please read these two chapters. They are the account of King David's adultery and later his meeting with Nathan the prophet. David repents and is pardoned.
"Dear friends, did you notice that after David's sin of adultery - instead of David seeking God, we read where God was seeking David? We find this scenario also with the Adam and Eve in Chapter 3 of The Book of Genesis. The Bible tells us in St. Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
God sent His prophet Nathan to preach to David. David was led to repentance by a sermon. (Thank God someone preached to me many years ago.) David listened to the Word...he recognized the truth of everything that was said. At first he shrugged it off, most likely said, "this isn't for me.....someone else." But, Nathan was sent by God to speak to a specific individual. Nathan spoke - David got the message! The prophet Nathan preached parabolically (told story).
Definition of PARABOLIC
1
: expressed by or being a parable : allegorical
2
: of, having the form of, or relating to a parabola <motion in a parabolic curve>
— par·a·bol·i·cal·ly (adverb)
David could feel the conviction in his heart. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrew 4:12)
When there is preaching and The Word of God is delivered - the "real" Word of God, people who are not living life as they should or those individuals who have never invited God into their hearts; they may "feel" very uncomfortable. So often people's feelings are so paralyzed by sin and compromise that they aren't convicted or moved by the truth. What a dangerous condition to be in!
However, the Word of God and Nathan's message was a revelation to David. He found that his sin was not against society or against his neighbor. He realized that his sin did not just affect himself. His sin affected those around him. David wasn't just dealing with himself or Uriah or Bathsheba. He was dealing with the Almighty God. Sin is against God. Your sin is against God. All sin is against God.
Sin is a serious matter!
Psalm 51:4 - David says, "Against thee, thee only, have I sinned...."
and in 2 Samuel 12:13 - "David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord....."
David also received another revelation. He received a revelation of himself. (No man "knows himself" until he knows God. Only God can show us "ourselves"). David realized that sin was deep rooted; it has many consequences. He realized that sin was the very nature of man and - for everyone - it takes constant communication with God so that we are able to overcome the evil temptations of this life.
David's revelation went a little further. He realized that God sent the prophet, the preacher, the messenger to deliver the Word; to arouse him, to convict him of the troubles he was experiencing. The Word said "Thou art the man"......straight to the point, no beating around the bushes. So it is with you and I today. God loved David. God loves you! God was abounding in mercy for David and it is with you and I. "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Psalm 103:8
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:15-17
David was pardoned of his sins because he repented of his sins. Have you repented of your sins?
Definition of REPENT
intransitive verb
1
: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life
2
a : to feel regret or contrition
b : to change one's mind
transitive verb
1
: to cause to feel regret or contrition
2
: to feel sorrow, regret, or contrition for
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