March 30, 2026 - 2 Samuel 11-14

Who doesn’t know, even if only in its broad strokes, the story of David’s sin with Bathsheba!  It’s a story of a king who, while lounging safely in his palace sent his men to die on the battlefield.  Catching a glimpse of Bathsheba and infatuated with her, David not only committed adultery with her but concocted a plan to have her husband, Uriah, killed so that he could marry the widow.  Just an awful story.  But who also does not know the rest of the story!  David, broken and repentant when confronted with his sin, cried out to God and penned one of the most powerful pleas to God for forgiveness that is imaginable.  Let’s just allow a portion of David’s plea to close today’s thoughts.  Oh my, it is so good to know that our God is a forgiving God!

       Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

       according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

       Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!

       For I know my transgressions,

            And my sin is ever before me.

       Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

       so that you may be justified in your words

            and blameless in your judgment.

       Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

       Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

            and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

       Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

            wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

       Let me hear joy and gladness;

            let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

       Hide your face from my sins,

            and blot out all my iniquities.

       Create in me a clean heart, O God,

            and renew a right spirit within me.

       Cast me not away from your presence,

            and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

       Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

            and uphold me with a willing spirit.

       Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

             and sinners will return to you.

       Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

        O God of my salvation,

        and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

      O Lord, open my lips,

            and my mouth will declare your praise.  (Psalm 51:1-15)