“Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight…”
Psalm 51 (NLT)
In Psalm 51, David acknowledges his guilt, recognises his inherent sinfulness from birth, and casts himself entirely on God’s abundant mercy and compassion in his prayer. David was genuinely sorry for his adultery with Bathsheba and for causing her husband to be killed and covering it up. He knew that his actions had hurt many people. But because David repented of those sins, God mercifully forgave him.
No sin is too great to be forgiven! (except blasphemy against the Holy Ghost).
Do you feel that you could never come close to God because you have done something terrible? God can and will forgive you. While God forgives us, He does not always erase the natural consequences of our sin. David’s life and family were never the same as a result of what he had done.
In David’s case, a man was murdered, and a baby died, and his household would always be in battle. All sins hurt us and others, but ultimately, they offend God because sin in any form is rebellion against God’s way of living.
David’s prayer shows that true repentance requires humility and a complete reliance on God’s mercy and grace, not on one’s own ability or efforts. When you are tempted to do wrong, remember that you will be sinning against God. Don’t.
Prayer
Lord, forgive, renew, and lead us so we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your Holy name. This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: Proverbs 28:13; Matthew 3:2
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 106:40-48; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Isaiah 27; Isaiah 28