Day 250

Song of Solomon 5:1–8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 22:24-25

IN OUR READING from Psalm 51 today, we encountered a picture (and posture) of what true repentance looks like. In his distress, David cried out:

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 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.

David said this prayer for good reason. We read earlier this year in 2 Samuel that he impregnated a married woman named Bathsheba —and subsequently attempted to cover it up through having her husband killed. In the end, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David about this horrible evil, and when David realized the full weight of his sin, it crushed him.

“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean,” David cried. “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me —now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you” (Psalm 51:7-12).

We can see some of the themes we’ve been recently discussing in David’s repentant posture. Only a few days ago, we talked about sorrow leading us to repentance (2 Corinthians 7). In David’s heart cry, found in Psalm 51, we see what that looks like. We can also reflect on the ending of Ecclesiastes, where we considered the fundamental truth that should guide our lives: “Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

It is unlikely that any of us have quite as sordid of a story as David did in that moment. We are no less in need of grace, however. And we drink deep from the cup of God’s mercy each day in order to survive. Repentance is part of our journey. Without it, we will destroy ourselves.

Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to look deeply into our hearts and reveal to us the ways we need to change. Changing is the fundamental act of repentance, and King David’s story shows us that there is nothing too horrible or wicked that God cannot begin restoring if we are willing to change.

David did marry Bathsheba, but they lost the baby. Later, another child was born. His name was Solomon. He would succeed his father as king of Israel and lead the nation to its finest hour.

When we are willing to repent, God is willing to redeem.

Reread Psalm 51 aloud with a repentant heart today. Let the words fall from your lips, and let them be as true as anything you’ve ever given voice to:

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

MEDITATION:

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.