One of the greatest Old Testament heroes was David, “a man after God’s own heart.” David was a shepherd boy turned king, and has been called the “sweet singer of Israel” because of his many songs, recorded in the Book of Psalms.
Despite David’s heart for God, he was a sinner. One afternoon while walking on his balcony, David saw a woman bathing. Inflamed with lust, he took Bathsheba for himself, even though he knew she was married.
When he later learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, he tried to trick her husband, Uriah, into sleeping with her, in order cover up his sin. His efforts were futile, however; Uriah was more righteous than the king.
So David sent Uriah back to Joab, the general of Israel’s armies, carrying his own death warrant: “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” David now added murder and treason to his adultery and deceit.
Nearly a year passed. Then a faithful prophet, Nathan, came to David and revealed, “You are the man!” David’s response was heartfelt brokenness and repentance. We have his broken-hearted prayer to God recorded in Psalm 51. As you read it, ask the Lord to give you the same kind of brokenness over your sin:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
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, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Hindered Fellowship
Is the air clear between you and God, or are you harboring sin? The Scriptures are clear that sin hinders our fellowship with God and keeps Him from answering our prayers.
Psalm 66:18 states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me,” while Isaiah 59:1-2 says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”
Self-Examination
Take a few moments now to pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24 back to the Lord, asking Him to reveal the sins you need to confess today. Then complete the following exercise.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
(Psalm 139:23-24)
Prayerfully answer the following questions as you ask the Lord to search your heart for sin:
- Do I long for the approval of others? Do I enjoy being made much of (pride)? Yes / No
- Do I push for my own way, and pout or get angry if I don’t get it (selfishness)? Yes / No
- Is my life characterized by worry and fear about the future (anxiety)? Yes / No
- Do I get easily irritated or lose my temper when frustrated (anger)? Yes / No
- Do I indulge impure desires and fantasies (lust)? Yes / No
- Do I hold grudges against people who have offended me? Is there anyone that I am not on good terms with right now because of a past offense (bitterness)? Yes / No
- Am I unhappy with my present circumstances (discontentment)? Yes / No
- Do I desire money or material possessions I don’t currently have (covetousness)? Yes / No
- Is there anything in my life which I know displeases God but I have not repented from? Yes / No
Confession
Write a prayer of confession to the Lord. Be specific in confessing the sins He is convicting you about, and ask Him for mercy and forgiveness.
Forgiveness
The Scriptures hold out wonderful promises to those who confess and forsake their sins. If you have honestly and sincerely done so today, these promises are for you!
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Prov. 28:13).
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Arise, my soul, arise;
Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding Sacrifice
In my behalf appears.
Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above,
For me to intercede;
His all-redeeming love,
His precious blood, to plead;
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears,
Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers;
They strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, oh, forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”
The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
The presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
To God I’m reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father!” cry.[1]
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