Psalm 51:1-17
David, mighty warrior and King of Israel during its Golden Age, was “a man after God’s own heart” and yet David sinned. He seduced Bathsheba and sent her husband, Uriah, to the front lines of battle where he was killed. David then made Bathsheba his wife.
When he was confronted by Nathan the prophet, David confessed his sin. In Psalm 51 he asked God to wash away his iniquity and create in him a pure heart, recognizing that ultimately he sinned against God.
God forgave David and God forgives us our transgressions if we sincerely repent and ask forgiveness.
I find that I frequently ask forgiveness for the same sins over and over again, not quite accepting that God blots out my transgressions when I am truly repentant. I think He forgives us more readily that we forgive ourselves.
By definition, to repent means to turn from sin and to reform one’s life. We can’t continue to do wrong if we’re truly repentant; and when we ask forgiveness for our sins of omission, we are called to action in being God’s hands, feet, and voice in His world. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and offer hope to the hopeless. May it be!
Beth Wilson