It is hard to believe after reading David’s wonderful writings in Psalms that he neglected to repent of his adultery with Bathsheba and authorized the murder of her husband Uriah.  Sometimes sin so blinds us that we do not realize we are doing wrong.  Our culture says “Be yourself,” “Go for all you can get,” or “All that matters is winning.” These ideals do terrible damage to God’s desire for us to put Him and His Son Jesus first.   

 

It feels so good to do what we want.  Yet Jesus says we are to deny ourselves and carry our cross daily.  Jesus speaks highly of the tax collector who sincerely and deeply repented, but criticizes the Pharisee who told God he was doing a good job.   

 

God had to send the prophet Nathan to David to explain to David how he had violated God’s commands, and put himself, instead of God, first.  David had been motivated by selfishness, lust, and greed that resulted in adultery and murder.   Selfish motivations that are unconfessed always lead to sin, and damage our relationship with God.   Do you think God would have punished David as severely if David had quickly turned to God in repentance for what he had done?  

 

Keep short accounts with God, so He can forgive you before the sin explodes.

 

Doing what we want really hurts our relationship with God. 

 

In Psalm 32 David talks about the great benefits of acknowledging our sin to God in confession.  In verses 1, 2, and 5 he talks about the blessings and forgiveness that come once sin is acknowledged and confessed.  Then in verse 6 he shows that we must reach out to God while He still may be found, before our sin settles and cuts us off from Him.  Sometimes sin makes us like verse 9: “A horse or a mule that has no understanding, but must be controlled by a bit and a bridle,” showing that we lose our freedom when we sin.  Jesus says “Whoever sins is a slave to sin.”

 

What do we learn here?
 

  • To be quick to recognize our sin.

  • To immediately turn to God.

  • To confess and repent.         

 

Then we will be able to say along with verse 11 “rejoice in the Lord and be glad you righteous; sing all you who are upright in heart!”

 

A fellow traveler 

 

Roger