Daily Devotional Dip - September 21, 2023

King David has been described as a man after God’s own heart. Yet he sinned. Sometimes he sinned greatly and demonstrated his falleness. God knows we will sin but what we do following the sin is what is critical in God’s eyes. In my morning scripture reading today I read  2 Samuel 11 which tells us that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and was complicit in the murder of her husband Uriah. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. Instead of being with his army in battle, he remained behind at the palace. Ultimately he left himself in a vulnerable situation and was morally weak. He saw Bathsheba, lusted for her, sent for her, and committed adultery.  He was walking now on a path of personal destruction that climaxed in the murder of Uriah. Yet his unfailing God never stopped loving him and giving him the desire to want to be forgiven. 

Then in 2 Samuel 12 David is confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sin. Nathan tells King David a parable about a man stealing another man’s sheep.”Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man. He said to Nathan, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 2 Samuel 12: 5-6 (NRSV).  Nathan responds by telling  David he is the man who steals the sheep. David confesses and repents of his sin but he ultimately pays dearly for his sin. Sometimes we still must suffer the consequences of our sin.

Also in my readings for today was Psalm 51. In this psalm, David sings about his confession and repentance, and he aims to live a life of brokenness and a contrite heart. We can see David’s path back to restoration and forgiveness in this Psalm.

Confession:

' Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. ' Psalm 51:1-4 

Repentance:

'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. ' Psalms 51:10-12 

Restoration:

'O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. ' Psalms 51:15-17

“One day, you will be taken to heaven and saved from sin’s presence. But until that great day, your Christian life is to be a journey of repentance. You have been saved. You will be saved. But for now, day by day, you are mercifully being saved as you repent and turn back to Jesus.” (Alister Begg, “Truth for Life”)

May the peace of Christ enfold you.

Doug

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