May 03, 2021
Although he was a godly and greatly used man of God, King David sinned grievously. For all time, his failure with Bathsheba has been recorded as a tragic warning.
But David’s confession was just as public. Spurgeon said a man could be used again when his confession is as notorious as his sin. When we sin, the devil whispers in our ears that it is the end. We can never be forgiven and can never be useful again. This fiery dart is designed to put us on the sidelines so that our lives will not advance the kingdom anymore. Satan’s great aim is to keep us from glorifying God among those who are watching.
GREATER GLORY
But think of how David’s confession glorified God. For thousands of years, we have learned how to repent from David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51. Millions have run to this passage as their prayer in times of brokenness and repentance. Just as the Lord’s Prayer models how to pray, Psalm 51 models how to repent.
This Psalm illustrates not only the needed repentance but the greatness of God’s mercy. We realize that God will forgive and will restore. He can use us again, and our hearts can rejoice. He can cleanse us. We can hear “joy and gladness” again. And many can be helped and encouraged by our honest, open confessions.
God is not pleased nor glorified by our sin, of course. But He is mightily magnified in humble, full repentance. When we bring him the proper sacrifice, even our sin is redeemed and used.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
Don’t let the enemy win any more than he should. When you sin (and you have and you will), let the Spirit of God lead you into humble repentance. God can use your worst moments, weaving them together for good to conform you to the image of His Son. And you will love Him even more for the fullness of His loving redemption.
My father often quoted, “No man has risen so high that he cannot fall, and no man has fallen so low that he cannot rise again by the grace of God.”
Father, cleanse me from my sin. But give me the grace to honestly confess like David. Use me, even in my failures, to glorify the greatness of your mercy and the power of Your redemption. And thank You that there is coming a day soon when my sinfulness will end forever!
March 29, 2023
As a pastor for the last 55 years, I have had the joy of being encouraged and blessed and prayed for by so many people. It is what carries you in your task of shepherding people. As I look back over five decades of ministry, their love has dramatically enriched my life.
But also, a pastor leads. And when anyone leads, there are almost always some who disagree.
March 28, 2023
March 27, 2023
