DAVID THE SINNER
And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord. – 2 Samuel 11:27
It would be easy to read about David the Sinner this week – the raw David and Bathsheba story filled with drama, deceit, devastation, and doubt – and respond with a hearty, “Not me.”
Lord, I’ve never committed adultery.
Lord, I’ve never carried a baby that wasn’t my husband’s.
Lord, I’ve never taken steps to ensure the death of another.
Lord, I’ve never…
Nope. Not me.
We’re pros at it, you and me. We scroll through people’s lives on social media, engage in conversations in our front lawns, and yep – with lowered voices even share in our very own church circles – and we’re quick to call out the sins in others (if not out loud, then often in our minds).
But talk about our own sin? We’d much rather refer to ourselves as The Faithful Friend. The Brave Warrior in the Faith. A Woman After God’s Own Heart.
We conceal our sin, praying that with just enough distraction and cover-up, no one will ever notice.
We compare our sin, pointing out the speck in another’s eye instead of recognizing the log in our own.
We contribute good works to “outweigh” our sin; working harder and doing more in hopes of finding favor with God and with others.
But just like Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:7), so it can be said of each of us.
As much as we want to escape our sin, it’s ever before us. No amount of concealing, comparing, or contributing will ever resolve our sin issue. But we can learn from David. Instead of denying or continuing to run from his sin, David took the first step towards true repentance: he recognized that he was a sinner. David listened to Nathan’s strong words in 2 Samuel 12 then said, “I have sinned against the Lord.” – 2 Samuel 12:13
“Repentance requires honesty. No one comes to God with true repentance in their heart unless they’ve first acknowledged their need for forgiveness and reconciliation with him. Only those who have ceased trying to cover up their sin with self-righteousness and deceit can experience the deep and lasting change that comes only through repentance.” – Joel Lindsey
As we study David the Sinner this week, let’s determine to be honest before the Lord about the sin in our own lives. The process won’t be easy. In fact, it’s likely to be downright painful. But hang with us, because David’s story doesn’t end with his sin, and our story doesn’t have to either. In our own despair and devastation, David’s life meets us where we are and points us to something better: His name is Jesus the Hope of Sinners, and His gift is repentance for all who believe.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting! – Psalm 139:23-24
Today, would you take this first step with me?
My name is Whitney, and I am a sinner.
{Don’t miss Wednesday’s post for the rest of the story: Jesus: The Hope of Sinners.}
At His feet,
Week 6 Video:
Week 6 Challenge: Commit this week to turning down the external noise around you (social media, television, world news, etc.) and instead take time to search your own heart, asking God to reveal and help you to repent of any unconfessed sin in your life.
Week 6 Reading Plan:
Week 6 Memory Verse:
My name is Carol and I am a sinner.
My name is Orla and I am a sinner
My name is Tamara and I am a sinner.
My name is Kat and I am a sinner.
My name is Mindy and I am a sinner.
My name is Ruth and I am a sinner.
My name is Melanie. I am a sinner.
My name is Rhonda. I am a sinner
My name is Cynthia and I am a sinner.
My name is Yolanda and I am a sinner.
My name is Sherry and I am a sinner
My name is Lauren and I’m a sinner.
My name is Denise, and I am a sinner.
My name is Natalie and I am a sinner.
My name is Emily and I am a sinner.
My name is Candy and I am a sinner. May the Lord search my heart, bring forth my sins so that I may ask Him for repentance.
My name is Kim and I am a sinner.
My name is Tricia and I am a sinner! Lord help me to see my sin. Help me to turn down the noise and hear your voice.
Lord , I stand in agreement w Tricia that you help all of us turn down the noise and hear Your voice.
My name is Rae and I’m a sinner.
My name is Patty and I am a sinner.
My name is Chris and I am a sinner.
My name is Karen and I am a sinner.
My name is Meredith, and I am a sinner.
My name is Diana and I am a sinner. I thank God for forgiving me….for blotting out my sin…..for giving me Grace…… and remembering it no more.
My name is Bethany and I am a sinner.
Wow! Challenging week ahead for sure! I, Pam, am a sinner, and nothing without Jesus. May God reveal to me the sin I have so cleverly hidden from the world and my own eyes, but not from You, God, You see it and are displeased with it. Make it known to me so that I can confess, repent, and live anew in a right, faithful and loyal spirit/attitude within me. Amen
My name is Sharon. I am a sinner. Forgive me Lord for I have sinned. Thank you JESUS..
My name is Nanette and I am a sinner. Give me strength to humbly accept this weeks challenge
My name is Debbie and I am a sinner.
My name is Julie and I am a sinner.
My name is Lacey and I am a sinner.
My name is Jayne, and I am a sinner.
My name is Trina. I am a sinner.
My name is Thomasina and I am a sinner.
My name is Kathy, and I am a sinner.
My name is Betty and I’m a sinner. On 6/26/16, I cried out to God ask Him was there anything that I was doing or anything that I needed to do to release the blesing that I needed in my life. I was at my wits end. Well on 7/9/16 God revealed the sin of arrogance that was in my heart. I had no idea that when I decided what job God was going to bless me with even the timing that I thought it should me; I we acting unknowingly as I was God. Nehemiah 29:11 declares, “I know the plans I have for you….,,, I repented
and asked God what was His plans to meet my needs. I surrender to His plan and timing. I know that God plans for me will come to past. It broke my heart to learn that I had unknowingly sin in this way because I love Jesus with all my heart.
My name is Jennifer and I am a sinner.
My name is Gloria and I am a sinner.
I am Gail and I am a sinner. Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Give me a quiet and obedient spirit to follow where you call me.
My name is Kristin and I am a sinner.
My name is Rose, I am a sinner.
My name is Sally, and I am a sinner.
My name is Jessica and I am a sinner.
My name is Ana and I am a sinner.
My name is Alisa, and I am a sinner. Thank my Father in Heaven for the salvation through Jesus Christ!
My name is Susan and I am a sinner.
My name is Lynnette and I am a sinner. Father please give me a heart wholly fixed on you, show me what is in my heart that I might repent and be used by you, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
My name is Tammy and I am a sinner.
I am Missy, and I am a sinner.
I appreciate the fact that you point out our need to keep our hearts before the Lord. I love that because that is how we walk close to God every day. I just won’t call myself a sinner because God calls me a Christian. A sinner practices sin but a Christian practices right living.
I love that you said this Sue…and how true it is.
Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Oh Tara and Sue,
I am so glad you commented here today… praise God that our identity in Christ calls us forgiven and free! “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Romans 6:6)
Yet, I identify with Paul when he says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7) Aaaaah, and here lies the internal battle within: it is clear that our goal is to not “keep on sinning,” but a sinner I remain.
The conclusion is not that it’s either-or, but both-and: “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:8-9. “The Christian way,” writes Martin Luther, “essentially consists in acknowledging ourselves to be sinners and in praying for grace” (Luther’s Large Catechism).
I love these words in Matt Redman’s song:
Here am I a sinner free,
Pardoned by your majesty
Love has led me into liberty
Holy King upon the throne,
You made this heart your very own
I feel like the leper who’s been healed
Today’s post was a short intro into the marvelous truth that we’ll focus on the rest of the week: that Jesus is our advocate and the Hope of Sinners, and His gift is repentance for all who believe. I can’t wait for you to read Wednesday’s and Friday’s posts!
Much love,
Whitney
You are a saint and I know we are righteous because of Jesus and His righteousness. We need to get up off our knees and let the Lord put us to work. I respect your comment!
My name is Valerie and I am a sinner.
My name is Pat and I am a sinner.
I mean absolutely NO disrespect at all…however…
I am a saint of God. Free from the bondage of sin…and now am a slave of Christ’s. The Lord saves FROM sin…He doesn’t save us to continue in sin. David didn’t call himself a “sinner”…he said he had sinned against God. Big difference. The Blood of Jesus washed me white as snow, in the eyes of God.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1
Amen.
Oh Tara and Sue,
I am so glad you commented here today… praise God that our identity in Christ calls us forgiven and free! “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Romans 6:6)
Yet, I identify with Paul when he says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (Romans 7) Aaaaah, and here lies the internal battle within: it is clear that our goal is to not “keep on sinning,” but a sinner I remain.
The conclusion is not that it’s either-or, but both-and: “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:8-9. “The Christian way,” writes Martin Luther, “essentially consists in acknowledging ourselves to be sinners and in praying for grace” (Luther’s Large Catechism).
I love these words in Matt Redman’s song:
Here am I a sinner free,
Pardoned by your majesty
Love has led me into liberty
Holy King upon the throne,
You made this heart your very own
I feel like the leper who’s been healed
Today’s post was a short intro into the marvelous truth that we’ll focus on the rest of the week: that Jesus is our advocate and the Hope of Sinners, and His gift is repentance for all who believe. I can’t wait for you to read Wednesday’s and Friday’s posts!
Much love,
Whitney
Forgive me Lord, for I have sin.
My name is Pat and I’m a sinner who has been redeemed from the slave market of sin by the sacrifice of the Precious Blood of God’s Son, Jesus, the Christ. Though I still fall now and again, His grace has provided 1 John 1:9 whereby I return from lost fellowship with Him by confessing known sins into a clean walk with Him! These times of discipline are for me to learn and shun any and all habitual sin so I can continue in the loving childhood with my Abba, Father. I love Him with all I am and hate even the thought of disappointing Him, which I do at times, is abhorrent to me because of my old sin nature. I look forward to the day I will be free and will stand before Him clothed in His Righteousness, pure and whole and free of that nature one day in Heaven. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
My name is JaTerria and I’m a sinner.
My name is Denise and I am a sinner
My name is Trina and I am a sinner. (Thank God for His amazing grace!)
My name is Trudi and I am a sinner.
My name is April and I am a sinner
My name is Barbata and I am a sinner.
My name is Adrienne, and I am a sinner.
My name is veronica and i am a sinner
My name is Kimberly and I am a sinner
My name is Renay. And I am a sinner. Often I find it difficult to identify my wrongs. And I do realise that this is what separates and disconnect us from God. Our inability to reconcile with Him. But this morning.. I too can say, Search me Oh Lord. Amen
My name is Patti and I am not only a sinner but a forgiven sinner because of my Lord!
My name is Kimbly, and I am a sinner, just as Paul said it is not my intention to sin, but then I sin and then I realized I have sin against God and myself. David did not want to kill Uriah, but David could not get him to go home and cover-up his sin, so David felt victim to more sin. When we commit sin it is our choice to turn it around through our confession to God and ask for forgiveness, and sin no more. I live my life every day watching my steps on how I live my life, but I am of this world and JESUS died for my sins. Lord keep me walking in your word daily, but if by chance without intentions I should sin, please forgive me Lord in the name of JESUS, and I have receive your blessing. Amen
My name is Verna and I am a sinner and in desperate need (always) of God’s grace and mercy!
My name is Verna and I am a sinner.
My name is Netty and I am a sinner.
My name is Audra and I am a sinner. I need Jesus each and every moment of each and every day. (This blog post opened my eyes…sometimes God uses the words of someone to open our eyes to something we’ve been blinded too. I gossip way too much about other people’s short comings when I have so many myself that I need to work on. Thank you Whitney for your God-given words!!)
Thank you so much for this. I feel like I’m right behind David by only a step or 2. My husband passed away at the young age of 47. I have been in the valley of grief for almost 3 years. I have felt JESUS helping me w every heartbroken step, and diagnosis of Adrenal Failure. I have been more than exhausted. I have just recently began to feel much better and know that JESUS is bringing me, finally, to the end of this wretched journey. I have also become the interest (or is it target? ) of a man that while I’m attracted to him, I KNOW he is not God’s choice for me. The feelings have left me completely stunned, as I haven’t felt this way in Years! Please pray for me that I continue to keep JESUS as my Eternal Husband and stay Pure for HIM! I want to learn from David’s mistake, NOT repeat it. May JESUS bless you abundantly!
Yes I am a sinner in the line of Tamar, and Rahab and the Woman at the Well! Please Lord JESUS keep me as far away from my sins as the East is to the West! Thank you for forgiving me the obvious, please help me be willing to let you have and to show me the sins I don’t know about. Please bless me with willingness to keep walking w you, and let you create in me a pure heart, a pure mind and as much as possible a pure life. I LOVE YOU, JESUS!
I am penny , chiefest among sinners. So far in this long journey, I have discovered His word is transforming my ways of thinking. I have found so far that forgiving my parents of past pain and thanking God for them by honoring them everyday I am blessed to be alive, as well as loving and honoring my three wonderful grown children who are on their own journey, and loving and honoring my husband of 32 years, through these STEPS everyday, I can better see where my sin creeps in. like y’all, I am grateful to be His daughter, set free from the judgment and through His word and Holy Spirit in me a new day dawning for greater victories ahead! May we all be experience the proverbs31life.
My name is Sarah and I am a sinner
Comment
my name is Harriet and I am a sinner. Reveal to me every every sin in me and lead me to true repentance in Jesus’ Mighty name I pray, AMEN!
My name is Sandra and I am a sinner. Thank you Jesus for being merciful and forgiving
My name is Shawna and I am a sinner.
My name is Laura and I am a sinner.
My name is Jo, and I am a sinner.
My name is Liz and I am a sinner.
Her name is Barbara and I want the good Lord to show me my friends let them be known to me so that I may relate with them in God’s name I pray
My name is Bonnie and I am a sinner.
My name is Vanessa and I am a sinner.
My name is Melody, and I am a sinner. Forgive me God.
My name is Tom. I am a sinner, and I trust in Our Lord’s love and mercy.