by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."

Psalm 51:1-4

If we will confess our sins out of a repentant heart, God will restore us to Himself.

Throughout the Bible, God tells story after story of people who failed. These stories aren't meant to discourage believers, but to encourage perseverance. Notice the story of one believer who failed.

King David is one of the most beloved of all Bible figures. David exemplifies a Christian's relationship with God-time together, spiritual intimacy, and a love for God that dictated his actions. Yet even a man after God's own heart made mistakes. The mistake most people think of when David is mentioned is his sin of adultery and murder.

Second Samuel 11 shows us a saddening story of sin's power. While David allowed his army to go to battle without him, he found himself lusting after another man's wife, and eventually committing adultery with her. Seeking to cover his sin, he devised a plan, yet when that plan went wrong, he resorted to killing the woman's husband. Such an awful turn of events came about when David stepped away from his duties as king.

Many believers stumble and fall into sin, like King David. Yet what restored David's relationship with God was his response to his sin. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David didn't try to hide his sin, blame others, or change the subject, he answered, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13).

Psalm 51 is David's record of his confession to God for his sins of adultery and murder. In these verses we see, not a hard heart of defiance, but a soft heart of remorse and repentance. David's cry to God after his sin is an example every Christian ought to follow when confronted with sin.

David opens by begging God for mercy. David realized that the only reason why God should forgive him was God's unending mercy. God's mercy and love forgives even the most offending sins when we as believers seek Him out of repentant hearts.

"Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest." David recognized that he had not sinned against his kingdom, his friends, or those under his command. He had sinned against God Almighty.

When confronted with sin, how do you react? Do you become defensive, seeking to rationalize your actions? Or like David, do you acknowledge your sin and seek God's forgiveness? Human nature tells you to defend yourself, to make yourself look good. Yet David realized the only way he would restore his relationship with God was to completely admit his sin and beg for God's forgiveness.

What sin have you defended in your life? Don't cover sin or explain it away. Lay open your heart before God and seek God's cleansing of your heart. Remember God's promise in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Numbers 20-22 | Mark 7:1-13