Psalm 51:16-17
David prayed this after his adultery with Bathsheba was revealed:
“For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart - These, O God, You will not despise.”
Psalm 51:16-17
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
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Tags: Bathsheba, contrite heart, humility, King David, offerings, pleasing God, repentance, sacrifice, sin
April 8th, 2008 at 9:38 am
In my short experience, those that have had a difficult bout with a recurring sin and come to repentance, and deliverance display such a pure intent towards serving God. It’s as if they know more about God’s bountiful grace and they are so willing to see their lives in the service of Him who forgave them.
God is so gracious that there is no one life that’s out of his reach, even if we give up on them (or ourselves) God is not finished, He is just starting his beautiful transforming of a life into the resemblance of Christ. If you feel that you are despicable you can come to God, He has a wonderful plan for you; don’t worry God works with broken people.
April 8th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Isn’t it interesting how David did not pray until he was caught?
I’ve always wondered how heavy his heart must have been between the sin and the exposure (no pun intended). Surely the Holy Spirit was convicting him the whole time — but it took the humiliation by “udaman” Nathan to break David.
April 8th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Pierre - In Luke 7 there’s the incident where a woman wiped Jesus’ feet with her hair - one of the things Jesus says in response is: “…Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Also Hebrews 5:7-8 comes to mind: Jesus “…learned obedience by the things which He suffered…”
It seems true for all in the flesh that sin and its effects cause us to understand and appreciate our great need for the salvation of the Lord!
Steve - how true that his heart must have been heavy, but remorse rarely - if ever brings about repentance.
Mostly its the crushing blow of our sin being revealed that does the trick. It seems that if Nathan didnt blow the whistle David would have kept at it - though he was miserable.
We all unfortunately can relate (or am I the only one with sin experience???)
May God renew our minds before we get so caught up in sin!
David also prayed in psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Hi Steve, we could surmise that David wanted and needed to confess but the penalty for his sin was death according to the law. He was (like most of us) between a rock and a hard place. Should I confess my sins and lose all credibility as the King of Israel? How many pastors will find them selves in a similar place? David new he sinned in fact all Israel probably new. But our sovereign God initiated a way out for David, which resulted in true repentance before God. I pray that all who read today’s devotion (Ps 51), find a man of God like Nathan to confide and confess his sins..