David sinned. He sinned big. He committed adultery with another man’s wife, then arranged for that man to be killed in battle. When confronted with his sin, he repented. He recorded that repentance in Psalm 51.
Now lest we think badly of David because he sinned, each of us must acknowledge that we too have sinned. Maybe it wasn’t as dreadful a sin as David’s, but sin is sin. And as David wrote, it was against God and God alone that “I have sinned and done this evil in [His] sight.” [Psalm 51:4]
David had no recourse for forgiveness under the law for the law did not provide for “willful” sin. His only hope was to go directly to God. “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.” [Psalm 51:1 HCSB]
David had one hope and He placed it in the abundant compassion and graciousness of God.
Exodus 34:6: “The LORD passed in front of [Moses] and proclaimed: Yahweh—Yahweh is a compassionate and gracious God.”
Deuteronomy 4:31: “…the LORD your God is a compassionate God.”
Joel 2:13: “…return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate.”
Jonah 4:2: “…I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God.”
James 5:11: “The LORD is very compassionate and merciful.”
We have one hope when we sin. We place our hope in the abundant compassion and graciousness of God that sent His One and Only Son to open the way to forgiveness.
Thank you, Lord. Today I focus on Your abundant compassion and grace. I praise You for blotting out my rebellion through the forgiveness found in My Savior and LORD. Amen
