Last Sunday we heard from Richard about overcoming temptation. So what happens if you have already fallen into temptation?
Psalm 51 is probably one of the most well-known examples in the Bible of an example of someone who has fallen into temptation, and who truly repents for what he has done to God. It’s great for us to look at and imitate. King David himself writes it, only after his hidden sin is discovered and brought into the open.
David had lusted after a gorgeous woman – Bathsheba - and killed Bathsheba’s husband to have her all for himself! David thought no-one had found out his evil act. But he gets caught out by one of God’s prophets! You can read about this in (click on the verses to read them) 2 Samuel 11 and 12. David pays a tragic price for his sin in 2 Samuel 12:14-18.
People often focus on David and his heartfelt repentance in Psalm 51. This is a good thing. Sin makes us feel dirty, sad, broken, constantly guilty and far from God’s presence. Also, when we sin the person most offended is God himself.
If you read through Psalm 51 you will see David feels this too. He can’t go on with the sin in his life, and he knows only God can wash him clean. Like us when we sin, David wants to be washed clean of the dirtiness he is feeling as a result of his sin. It lingers in him and is making him despair. The most pure, clean thing he can think of is white snow so he says to God, “Wash me (of my dirty insides) and I will be whiter than snow”.
But this psalm tells us a lot more than just David’s reaction to his terrible sin. It tells us about the good God we have! Here are some things about God that are here for us to remember and delight in...
God is a God -
Of steadfast love (v1)
Of abundant mercy (v1)
Blameless in his judgement (v4)
Who delights in truth in our inner being (v6)
Who teaches us wisdom in our secret heart (v6)
Who washes and cleans us of our sin (v7)
Who gives us joy and gladness (v8)
Who creates in us a clean heart and renews a right spirit in us (v10)
Who gives us joy in his salvation of us (v12)!
God is good! He lavishes all these things on you! Why would we want to turn away from his goodness! Yet if you have succumbed to temptation - but then truly turn 180 degrees from our sinful ways (ie repent, like David) - God promises these things for you once more.
3 comments:
I am constantly dissapointed in myself when the momentum of my 180 turn away from temptation swings me around to 360.
Yes, this cycle will not stop until Christ returns!
By the way, who are you 'thetyper'? Or have you chosen to remain anonymous?
Welcome to our page.
Maybe I should add to the discussion is that the God who we are dealing with - especially the one when we feel the 360 degree thing - is STILL the one
Of steadfast love (v1)
Of abundant mercy (v1)
Blameless in his judgement (v4)
Who delights in truth in our inner being (v6)
Who teaches us wisdom in our secret heart (v6)
Who washes and cleans us of our sin (v7)
Who gives us joy and gladness (v8)
Who creates in us a clean heart and renews a right spirit in us (v10)
Who gives us joy in his salvation of us (v12)!
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