Highlights In Today's Reading:
A powerful confirmation of the reliability and the safety found only in God is recorded. Consequently, we are reminded to be still and listen to God as revealed in today's Bible Reading. This means we need not worry or be fearful, just worship and praise the Lord since He is in control and no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly (84:11). Consequently, we are to praise the Lord who is the true Ruler of the Earth.
The awareness of sin and pleas for forgiveness are very intense in Psalm 51. Following the experience of David's sin with Bathsheba, God sent Nathan the prophet who said to David: Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? . . . and hast taken his wife to be thy wife. . . . Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house (II Samuel 12:9-10). David prayed fervently and sincerely: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me (Psalm 51:1-3). The sincerity of his confession is unmistakable in his prayers pleading for cleansing and restoration.
As with David, God always forgives sin when it is confessed, but whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7). Consequently the future suffering and sorrow are inevitable. Because of this sin, tragedies continued to haunt David the rest of his life.
David did not attempt to justify his actions or shift the blame to someone else. He had a right estimate of sin. He did not elevate himself as one who was above the Law since he was the king, but admitted his rebellion against God and His Holy Law, saying: Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned (Psalm 51:4). Although their first relationship was adultery, it was forgiven. David then took Bathsheba as his wife (II Samuel 12:9) and Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon, and the Lord loved him (12:24).
In our fallen nature, we are prone to make excuses for our sins by blaming circumstances, someone else, the tendencies which we have inherited, or the lack of training which we did not receive. Or, as Adam did, we may even blame God (Genesis 3:12). But sin is never justified and is always the abominable thing that I (God) hate (Jeremiah 44:4).
Like our own failures, we wish that this blight upon David's life had not happened. But it was recorded to reveal the deception of lust. It also reveals how the sinners who truly repent and forsake their sin can experience the same wonderful mercy and forgiving love of God. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).
Thought for Today:
We often cringe from it because it hurts our pride to admit that sin is our own fault (choice) and not someone else's, but only confession and repentance will bring the healing that we need.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will judge His people (Psalm 50:4). The Lord Jesus Christ . . . shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at His appearing (II Timothy 4:1).
Word Studies:
46:6 heathen raged =b> nations were in turmoil; 48:11 daughters of Judah =b> its cities and villages as opposed to Jerusalem, the major city; 49:9 see corruption =b> experience death; 50:23 conversation =b> daily conduct; 51:4 clear =b> pure, blameless.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. Daryl Sievers and Bett Brown; English International Shortwave Broadcasts in honor of Isaac Benjamin Gray • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN) • Country: Turkey (64 million) in Asia Minor and southeastern Europe • Major languages: Turkish, Kurdish, and Arabic • Official resistance to Christian witnessing • 79% Sunni Muslim; 20% Alawi Shi'ite Muslim; .2% Christian; .04% Jewish (25,000); .09% Armenian Orthodox; .02% Syrian Orthodox; .02% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).
Optional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:7