August 10, 2018 Friday

“1 ¶  « To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. » Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. 2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3  For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4  Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight — That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6  Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 ¶  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8  Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9  Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11  Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” (Psalm 51:1-12 NKJV)

            Listen to David’s grief and pain when God through the prophet Nathan calls him to account for the sin, the terrible sin, David has committed and the consequences of his sin. These sinful acts were against God Bathsheba, Uriah and harmful to David.

            David pours his soul out to God leaving nothing out but confesses the devastation sin has wrought in his whole life. David attempts to put aside anything that stands between God and him. 

            We also must confess everything that stands between us and God. Sin not only destroys our lives but also destroys our relationship with God.

            In David’s thorough confession he uses four different words to describe his sin and each one is a different kind of sin. Let us look at the meaning of each one.

Sin - carries with it the idea of doing something wrong but also of the judgment it brings to our lives. The word for sin is an archery term which means to miss the mark.

Transgression – means to rebel or revolt against an authority.  This is usually seen as planned sin.

Iniquity – this is a sin of action, something you do wrong. Iniquity also is used for the sin of idolatry. Some also see iniquity as a sin that is taught and accepted by a family or community.

Evil - the many terms used for the meaning of evil are astounding.  Here are just a few.

Bad, disagreeable, malignant, unpleasant (giving pain, unhappiness, misery), sad,

hurtful, vicious in disposition, misery, calamity, to be displeasing, injurious, to break, to be broken, to shatter, be broken in pieces, be broken asunder. There are some who believe there is no such thing as evil in the world but to believe this you must totally be ignorant of history and not read their morning paper. It is disgusting and horrific what people are capable of and do to each other! Others may believe only satan is evil but like Jesus satan has disciples who seek to live as satan does.

            But like David we can cry out for God to cleanse and wash us so we will not be cast off from God. This is an example of the difference between Saul and David. Saul sought to blame others for his sin while David thoroughly confessed and sought, begged, for God’s forgiveness!

            Do you recognize the sin in your life? Do you confess your sin or blame others? Do you desire a good relationship with God?

Jonathan got here after work and we had supper together.  I feel so terrible today still recovering from the trip I guess. The place we are staying is pretty amazing! I sat on the screened in porch and enjoyed the cool weather and the rain which I love to hear. Bonnie fixed a great supper and Rebecca cleaned up after the meal.