Psalm 51

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (v 1)

David not only sinned in his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, but his attempts to cover his tracks had dire repercussions for all involved (2 Samuel 11-12:23). Once his sin was exposed, however, David no longer tried to hide his atrocities. In Psalm 51, he lays everything bare before the Lord and throws himself on God's mercy. It turns out that, in spite of his actions to the contrary, David's sin has constantly been on his mind:

For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. (vv 3-4 NLT)

Anyone who has been touched by, and truly loves God will never thrive in sinfulness. The effects of sin, like a cancer, will gnaw at the conscience until we either run from God completely, or take the brave steps David did and cast ourselves on His mercy. David recognised that his adulterous and murderous actions, even though they were against Uriah, were first and foremost, rebellion against God. Through this act of penitence, David reveals faith that God will hear his prayer, cleanse and forgive him and lead him in the way of wisdom (v 6).

In today's world, the concept of sin has been replaced by political correctness at best, and total absolution of moral responsibility in the farthest extreme. People cannot help their sexual proclivities, we are told, because it is in the genes, an unbreakable habit, or they were born that way. The spouse-beater shirks responsibility for their behaviour, claiming that fits of rage run in the family, or that they were provoked. Indiscipline is virtually encouraged, as deprivation is blamed for children robbing one another. Society then scrambles to work out how to deal with the resulting violence, vandalism, lack of respect and breakdown of family values.

Indeed, David admits that sin may be in his genetic make-up (v 5), but he realises that his relationship with God, can help him rise above the tendency to sin. We need to take responsibility for our actions. For as long as David tried to hide, his conscience ate away at him until he was no longer able to sleep at night, and he felt his intimacy with God slipping away.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Is sin disguised as a 'bad habit' in your life? Have you called adultery by any other name? Or are you running away from God because you think He has banished you from His presence? Repent before God so He can expose those hidden sins, and wash you with the cleansing blood of Jesus. There is no sin too great for Him to forgive, and no habit He cannot help you break. But you must sincerely ask, and be prepared to let God guide you in the path of righteousness.

Sin encroaches like a polluting darkness in the soul, and only true repentance can restore the light of God's favour and the joy of His presence.

Psalm 51 Full Reading