Don’t see the audio player? Click here.
A man shot and killed a young woman who knocked on his door at 4:30 in the morning. Later, a jury convicted him of 2nd degree murder. The man apologized for his action, but the dead woman’s sister said she did not believe the man was sincere in claiming remorse. Well, nobody could accuse David of being insincere when he confessed his sin to God. He violated Bathsheba and had her husband killed. Then in his prayer of repentance we find in Psalm 51, David expresses deep remorse before God. He did not ask God for justice. He knew he was wrong; he accepted full responsibility for his actions. While he admits he sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, he realizes he also violated God’s holy standard; so he pleads for God’s forgiveness and restoration. He prays, “Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight… Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me… Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” David pleads that God would forgive his past actions, restore his joy, and give him wisdom to make the right decisions in the future. When we sin and violate God’s righteous will, we should pray as David did.
