Read 2 Samuel 24
Grieving Sin
10 I have sinned
greatly in what I have done. Now, O LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of
your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.
HOW different are David’s words here than when Scripture
first reveals him. Remember? David said
to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I
come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of
Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Sam 17:45)
David full of
faith and vigor defied Goliath. His life was filled with the optimism and youthful
power. The Spirit of the Living God was within him. From the Goliath victory to
his shame at calling for a census of his army, much had changed for David.
Somehow, he had refused
to remain with his Lord. He certainly still credited God with all authority
over his life. But he seemed to have lost some of his vigor to consistently
live in God’s ways. David had been warned against the census, but he did it
regardless. David, the man who would not harm a hair on his enemy Saul,
committed such a grievous sin that he cost the lives of 70,000 Israelites.
But God cancels
David’s staggering crimes because David repents. He repents with a great
knowledge of his sin. His heart cries out in guilt and shame. He seeks release
from his great burden from the only One who can release him.
David’s ways of
repentance must be our ways, too. We too often lose our vigor to resist sin. It
is only in God’s strength that we will be renewed. Repent, grieve your sin. Vigorously
reject sin. Cry out to God for release, and he will lift your sin.
A Moment’s Thought: God reigns. Listen to him.
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