May 06, 2020: SOAP #3807:  2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 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.

Observation:  In Psalm 51 David begs forgiveness from God, not on the basis of who David is, but on the basis of who God is.  David did not make excuses for his sin, nor did he beg mercy because he was the king of Israel.  He did not say, “Remember, I killed Goliath.”  David did not say, “I am just a man and she was a beautiful woman, Lord, what did you expect.”  No, David knew sin could be removed because there was something greater than sin. Sin kills.  Sin destroys.  Sin is powerful, but not all-powerful.  There is something stronger than sin.  There is a power greater than the power of sin!   It is God’s mercy, His unfailing love, His great compassion.

Much later one of Jesus disciples would write “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9

Application:  David was miserable.  He knew that the death of an animal could never provide an equal payment for his sins.   Somehow God’s “unfailing love and great compassion” would have to come through in forgiving him and washing away all his iniquity.   John, having been a witness to the crucifixion and the resurrected Jesus, understood that God does exactly what David needed.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, John understood what both David and I needed.  I also needed my sins forgiven and cleansing from all unrighteousness.  Thank you for providing what David and I needed.  We receive your forgiveness and cleansing with great thanksgiving.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!