Consider the results when David confessed his sin. First, God forgave him and removed the death penalty otherwise accrued Leviticus 20:10. Psalm 51 records the king’s ego-shattering admission of: betrayal, remorse and desperate fear of losing his personal relationship with God.
David’s ready admission differed from King Saul’s reluctant acceptance of guilt for not annihilating Amalek I Samuel 15:1-35. Even prophet Samuel’s merciless hammering on the king’s conscience brought only his provisional admission 15:24. Only when Samuel predicted the end of Saul’s reign did the secular leader offer unconditional agreement of his guilt—and then only to save face with the nation’s elders 15:30. Saul’s response surfaces a mighty truth: while we may feel the need to explain, clarify or excuse our decisions to others, never even TRY that approach when coming to God. David confessed that he sinned. He never called it a mistake, a stupid decision or a thoughtless, selfish act. He never explained it wouldn’t have happened had he been able to sleep, (obviously); or he had been so anxious about his army before Rabbah he couldn’t sleep (then he should have been in the field with them). Nothing but, “I have sinned against the Lord.” The plain, ugly truth! The black-hearted spiritual betrayal of God’s word, God’s Person, God’s holiness. Unpleasant as it was, hard as it hit David’s ego to admit it, bad as it reduced the integrity before God long maintained, David confessed his wickedness before God. The very response God wanted and would bless with healing the gaping fracture in their relationship. For, what I John 1:9 promised under Grace, Moses promised under Law: if we confess our sins God is faithful and will forgive us! Amen. End Part IV
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