Together in Christ: 'Broken!' — Psalm 51:1-4

David sinned in reprehensible ways, abusing his power to seize Bathsheba as his sex partner because of his lust and murdering her husband, Uriah, to take her as his wife. ^[1] When Nathan creatively confronted David with his sin, the King was humbled, sorrowful, and broken. ^[2] Psalm 51 is David's psalm of confession, sorrow, and repentance. He recognizes his sin. He admits that his sin was against God and God alone at its most basic level. This did not try to downplay his guilt for his actions against Bathsheba and Uriah. He acknowledged that his sin was rebellion against God. God had blessed David, chosen him as King, protected him in battle, and given him great wealth and popularity. Then, David violated God's love, blessings, and trust in him.

To David's credit, he admitted his sin and defined it for what it is: rebellion against God's love, grace, and will — a great evil in the sight of God. David threw himself on the mercy of God, yet accepted that whatever God decided about punishment and consequences were right and just. David's words and actions demonstrated genuine godly sorrow that is necessary for genuine repentance — a change of behavior to align with the will of God. ^[3]

Underneath all of David's godly sorrow and repentance was his reliance on God's mercy and unfailing love. Openness with God about the severity, reality, and truth of our sins opens the door for God's mercy and love to change, renew, and set us on the right path for our lives. So, dear brother or sister in Christ, let's be honest with God about our sins. Let's not downplay it or excuse it as not as bad as someone else's sin — or David's sin. Let's be real about our sins so God can remake us and set us on His good path for our lives! Our relationship with God is one we must get right, appreciate, and enjoy. We don't want our sinful failures to interfere with the mercy and love He longs to pour into our lives.