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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge.
This was one of the lowest points in David’s life – but he turned it into one of his highest.
We read of the circumstances in 2 Samuel 11. “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab…” (v 1). So began the whole downward spiral of events, which eventually gave rise to this Psalm.
Instead of fighting and leading his men, David stayed at home and relaxed. He caught sight of a beautiful naked lady, and instead of turning away, he indulged in his lust. He not only saw, he stooped. He invited her into his palace and seduced her and she became pregnant.
So David, to try and cover his sin, sent for Bathsheba’s husband in the hope that having been away from her at war, he would delight in having sex with her while home on ‘special leave’.
Unfortunately for David, Uriah was a man of principle and integrity, so even after encouragement from the king, and being wined and dined by him, he still refused to sleep with her. He ruined David’s plan, so David ruined his life and contracted his murder.
How easy it is for a leader to fall. How careful we all need to be when we relax, for it is often then we lose the battle. David still felt he had the whole situation resolved and made Bathsheba his wife just before the baby was born.
But God saw. And the record stands – What “David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27). We may think we can cover it up or that no one else knows – but God is all-seeing and holds us accountable. Awesome thought, isn’t it?
However, God is not vindictive – He just refuses to cover up sin or call it something else. So He sent a prophet, Nathan, to David who helped David realise what he had done. David was devastated and the baby also died. David didn’t blame anyone else, he admitted his guilt, confessed his sin, repented and cried out to God for mercy.
“Have mercy on me, O God” (v 1).
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me” (v 3).
“Against You, You only, have I sinned” (v 4).
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean” (v 7).
“Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity” (v 9).
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (v 10).
“Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me” (v 14).
God convicts of sin for one reason – so we can confess it, repent, and be set free. God knows we are frail and apt to failure and wants to help and save us. But it starts with our heart’s attitude. David had a heart after God. When he did wrong, he admitted it, humbled himself and asked for forgiveness.
Yes, he had to live with the consequences but he was forgiven in the sight of God. That is where he reached the highest point.
Where are you? At which point – the lowest or highest?
(See also 1 John 1:9 – It’s a ‘Ring of Truth’!)
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