PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
May
06
06
Survive and Advance
Richard Waialeale
Scripture
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:3-4a)
Observation
In today’s devotions I read one of lowest times in David’s life. He does the unthinkable and commits adultery and murder. At this point, David’s life is at an all time low, a point of deceitfulness when news of Uriah’s death reached David, he thought he was off the hook; he had safely covered his sin. But his conscience continued to bother him.
ILLUSTRATION: In Edgar Allan Poe’s story, “The Tell-Tale Heart” the main character committed murder. Unable to escape the haunting guilt of his deed, he begins to hear the heartbeat of the victim he has buried in his basement. A cold sweat covers him as he hears the beat-beat-beat of a heart, that goes on relentlessly. Ultimately the heartbeat drives the man absolutely mad, not knowing that it was not coming from the body in the basement, but from the heart within his own chest. So it is with a guilt ridden, unforgiving conscience. David’s guilt became unbearable.
So God sends the prophet Nathan to David, because He loves David too much to let him go on like this; to stop him from damaging himself and his kingdom. And when David is confronted, he immediately acknowledges the terrible thing he has done. He falls on his face before God, and out of that experience comes the prayer of Psalm 51.
ILLUSTRATION: In Edgar Allan Poe’s story, “The Tell-Tale Heart” the main character committed murder. Unable to escape the haunting guilt of his deed, he begins to hear the heartbeat of the victim he has buried in his basement. A cold sweat covers him as he hears the beat-beat-beat of a heart, that goes on relentlessly. Ultimately the heartbeat drives the man absolutely mad, not knowing that it was not coming from the body in the basement, but from the heart within his own chest. So it is with a guilt ridden, unforgiving conscience. David’s guilt became unbearable.
So God sends the prophet Nathan to David, because He loves David too much to let him go on like this; to stop him from damaging himself and his kingdom. And when David is confronted, he immediately acknowledges the terrible thing he has done. He falls on his face before God, and out of that experience comes the prayer of Psalm 51.
Application
Psalm 51 sets forth the pathway for us to follow from condemnation to confidence. How do we getup from falling down, totally messing up to back on my two feet.
What do I do? Here are four C’s that I can follow in moving out from messing up my life, to having the confidence in God’s forgiveness.
Confession
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:3-4a) First of all, I must confess my sins before God.
Contrition (Repentance)
“The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.” (v.17). My cry for forgiveness must come from a deep broken heart. Cleansing
“Take away my sin, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (v.7)
The word “wash“ that Scripture is talking about is the scrubbing of my heart. Deep cleaning.
Confidence
Although David’s heart had been crushed by his shame and sorrow over sin, David knew the magnitude of God’s mercy. And once his sins are confessed, forgiven, and purged, David dares to ask God for His "Choicest Gift": Joy in the Holy Spirit!
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” [v.12]
And, finally, David humbly offers himself to be used by God to demonstrate God’s mercy and grace, and to lead others who have fallen, back to God.
“Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong,
and sinners will turn back to you.” [v.13]
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
What do I do? Here are four C’s that I can follow in moving out from messing up my life, to having the confidence in God’s forgiveness.
Confession
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:3-4a) First of all, I must confess my sins before God.
Contrition (Repentance)
“The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin.” (v.17). My cry for forgiveness must come from a deep broken heart. Cleansing
“Take away my sin, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (v.7)
The word “wash“ that Scripture is talking about is the scrubbing of my heart. Deep cleaning.
Confidence
Although David’s heart had been crushed by his shame and sorrow over sin, David knew the magnitude of God’s mercy. And once his sins are confessed, forgiven, and purged, David dares to ask God for His "Choicest Gift": Joy in the Holy Spirit!
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.” [v.12]
And, finally, David humbly offers himself to be used by God to demonstrate God’s mercy and grace, and to lead others who have fallen, back to God.
“Then I will teach your ways to those who do wrong,
and sinners will turn back to you.” [v.13]
“Create in me a clean heart, O God.”
Prayer
Lord, Your Love endures forever. I am forgiven and Lord I know the plans You have for me. Keep me from falling into a low spiritual vitality, by keeping my eyes on Jesus. I pray to keep accountability with You Lord. Amen.
