“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
The story of David and Bathsheba is the stuff movies are made of — lust, adultery, premarital pregnancy, murder, and cover-up. And it looked like David was home free, except for one important detail: “The thing that David had done displeased the LORD” (2 Samuel 11:27). The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). So God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David, “I made you king … So why have you treated the word of GOD with … contempt?” (2 Samuel 12:7, 9). Then God passed sentence: “Because you despised me … I am going to bring calamity on you … before all Israel” (2 Samuel 12:10-12). From that day on, tragedy and turmoil plagued David’s family.
On many levels, “the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15), not the least of which is that sometimes God takes away your peace so that you will acknowledge your sin.
It took an unplanned pregnancy, the murder of an innocent man, a child’s death, a prophet’s persuasion, and the conviction of the Holy Spirit before David’s heart softened and he admitted, “I have sinned against the LORD” (2 Samuel 12:13). And when he prayed those words, God treated David’s sin the same way He treats ours: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). As long as you keep excusing, defending, and rationalizing your sin, God can do nothing for you. But the minute you confess it to Him, He will forgive you. Isn’t that wonderful?
Prayer
Lord, I confess that I have sinned against You and not done right in Your eyes. Forgive my sin and grant me forgiveness. Let me walk in Your path as You would have it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
