Scripture

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the abundance of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

~Psalm 51:1-2, LSB

Quote

Sin is deceitful: it will carry you further than you intend to go; keep you longer than you intend to stay and cost you more than you intend to pay.

~Source Unknown

David knew he was a sinner but like most of us he thought there were some things he could get by with and others he would never do. Peter believed that he would never deny Christ. I am relatively sure that David’s plan was a one night roll in the hay. He never intended to steal a very good man’s wife nor to cover up his adulterous affair by taking the good man’s life. David’s plan to cover his tracks blew up in his face and destroyed his credibility. Everyone in the kingdom knew that he had lied to cover his lust. Something good did come out of this sorted affair and that is Psalm 51 which is a theological masterpiece. David uses all three Old Testament words for sin: transgression, iniquity and sin. Sin is missing the mark. It is failure to live up to a standard. Iniquity is the perversion of something that is good. It is when we take something good and twist it so that if fits our agenda. Transgression is even more frightening: it is rebellion, “Have mine own way.” It is the determination to serve ourselves and our interest. I am afraid of all three but like Luther, “Transgression really frightens me.”

Two points I want to make: [1] When David got right with God, he got honest about his sin. His sins were ugly and detestable but he called them what they were. He did not make excuses nor did he attempt to justify himself. We will never make any progress in our war against sin until we stop playing games and call it what it is. It doesn’t matter whether it is gossip, drugs, or gluttony: if you want victory over the sin, call it what it is; just step up to the mic and say, “My name is Jack and I am a self-righteous prideful Pharisee.” It is always easier to focus on the sins of others but we cannot make progress that way. [2] All sin has consequences but some more than others. Lust initiated David’s sin but he never dreamed it would lead to the murder of a friend and by a cowardly method. David hid behind his royal robe. He had Joab do the dirty work. Uriah never knew what was going on. A real man would have confronted Uriah. David lost a ton of respect from the Military which had held him in high regard. Not even this is the end of the trail, David’s sin basically destroyed his family. Sin always carries consequences.

Extra

Christmas came early for me, Dian made me a bucket filled with candy: Fruitcake cookies, haystacks, chocolate covered peanuts white and black. I got up in the middle of the night and eat a haystack; I also had one before breakfast. We appreciate Holly, Mandy, Jamie and Dian hosting the pastor’s meeting yesterday and serving a meal fit for a king. Kevin also brought me a new book so I am in hog heaven.

We have another party Wednesday night at 6:00 at the POINT. Looking forward to it! Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.

If you are looking for a good devotional for 2024, I highly recommend Martyn Lloyd Jones WALKING WITH GOD.