In chapter 11 we find that David decides to stay home at the palace instead of leading his armies into battle. With idle time on his hands, he fell neck deep into the pit of sin. First is was the lust of the flesh as he watched Bathsheba taking a bath on her roof. Next he had her brought to him and he committed adultery with her.
When he found that she was pregnant with his child, he had her husband sent home from war in order for him to sleep with her. His hope was that his sin would be covered up. Her husband Uriah was a man of integrity and honor and refused to sleep with his wife while his fellow soldiers were off to war. David had Uriah sent back to the front lines to his death and he now found himself with an innocent mans blood on his hands.
From a, "Man after God's own heart" to a lusting, manipulative, adulterer whose scheming led to murder in the blink of an eye. Honestly, can you get your mind around how great this man's fall was?
After Uriah had died, David brought Bathsheba to live with him as his wife and they had a son. David went on with his life as if nothing had happened. But what about his relationship with God?
Do you realize that a year has gone by and David has shown no remorse? Now God directs Nathan the prophet to go to David and confront him with his sin. You see, David may have forgotten - but God had not.
13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.
Oh the sweet fragrance of forgiveness that replaces the stench of a calloused, sin hardened heart. Look how David describes his season of unrepentance.
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah (Psalm 32:3-5)
Oh the freedom of a soul that has been forgiven. It's as if the chains of sin that had you all tangled up are suddenly snapped and drop to the ground. Forgiven and free to live a life of victory, not defeat.
Oh Father, take a walk around my heart. Peel back the layers, search every corner, every nook and cranny. Search me oh God and know my heart. If there is any thought, word or deed that contrary to your Word, contrary to your will for me - make it plain for me to see. I don't want anything to be between us except the blood of Jesus covering my sin. When you look at me I want you to see the righteousness of Christ. No more groaning - just rejoicing in your presence. Thank You for forgiving me from the guilt of my sin! I love you Father!
