Psalm 51:1-6
Verse 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Having discussed all the things we need to be aware of in our lives and seeing the Lord’s guide on prayer, it may help us understand the depth of repentance by walking with David though a moment of his repentance. This prayerful psalm was written after the king felt the conviction of his relationship with Bathsheba, a sin which had a ripple effect in his kingdom.
When the prophet Nathan came to David with the story about the rich man taking the poor man’s pet lamb, it made David furious and ready to take action on the rich man (2 Samuel 12:5-6). When Nathan said, “You are that man!” the Holy Spirit struck David right in the heart and he was ready to repent.
David’s cry for mercy from God shows his understanding and clear assessment of himself. He had no thoughts of entitlement to God’s grace and didn’t skim over his sin. When he came before the Lord with His sin, he fully owned it. There were no excuses about not being able to help himself or blaming God for making Bathsheba so beautiful, no blaming Bathsheba for bathing where he could see her and no blaming his officials for bringing her to him as he had commanded. He simply pleaded with God for His mercy.
This is the heart of repentance. It isn’t about blaming other people and making excuses for our sins but acknowledging them. Over and above acknowledging our sins, we need to understand as David, did how our sin breaks our covenant relationship with God. While there were others who were being caught up in the wake of his sinful actions, David knew it was God who he had sinned against.
After stating he knew the Lord is a God of unfailing love, the king begs God for His mercy, not just to forgive him this sin but all of his sins. David asks God to blot out his transgressions so he can be clean before the Lord. It is this kind of repentance which leads to revival. It is something each of us as Christians should be familiar with.
Making It Personal
Have you ever begged for God’s mercy because of your sin? What was your attitude towards God during your moment of repentance? How did knowing God forgives, change how you look at new sin in your life?
Making It Personal Kids
Have you ever begged Jesus to forgive you? Why was it so important to you to have Him forgive you? How do you feel knowing He forgives you?
Closing Prayer
Father, we repent, begging for Your mercy in our lives. We sin more often than we like to admit. Please make us constantly aware of our sinful desires so we can turn from them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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