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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.

We are all sinners.

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,

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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:

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Week 6 Memory Verse:

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WhitneyD

WhitneyD

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