Evident Repentance and Grace

2 Samuel 12:13 ~ "David said to Nathan, 'I have sinned against the LORD.' And Nathan said to David, 'The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.'"

What does true repentance look like? Is there a formula for bringing yourself into God's presence and receiving His mercy and grace? I think that there are many who believe that in order to be repentant, there must be some process of spiritual engagement that moves a sinner step-by-step into a position where they can then receive the grace of God. A good example of this is seen in some spiritual traditions where the penitent is given various tasks or recitations to perform in order to regain a devout heart.

Today, as we consider our text, we will look into the wanton behavior of king David, and discover a pardoning grace from God that is offered to all who come to Him in real repentance. Many know the story of David and Bathsheba. If you are not familiar with it, let me encourage you to go and read it from 2 Samuel, chapters 11 and 12. 

If you have now familiarized yourself with the story, let us look at circumstances the prophet Nathan is leading David to understand. David was king of Israel. He was blessed of the LORD and given great authority. He was loved of God, and called "a man after God's own heart" (see 1 Samuel 13:14 & Acts 13:22). But David had now committed adultery with Bathsheba, tried to trick Uriah to cover up the sin and then, when the ruse did not work, had Uriah murdered by the sword of the enemy of Israel. There are a number of other sins, but these will be enough for us to understand David's repentance and God's grace.

Nathan the prophet confronts David, shows David his sin through the telling of a story and then points the word of God right at the heart of the king and declares, "You are the man!" (see 2 Samuel 12:7). The charges laid against David were severe--and all of them deserving of capital punishment from the LORD. In our text today, we discover, perhaps, the most telling statement ever spoken by a repentant heart. David simply says, "I have sinned against the LORD." I want to show you three things from this confession of David.

First, there was personal ownership. David did not even once attempt to deflect the blame upon another. We see this happen with Adam as he pointed the finger at Eve and then Eve blaming the serpent (see Genesis 3:12-13). How many times has "the devil made me do it" been the excuse for a person's sin? But David did no such thing. He merely said: "I have sinned against the LORD." Second, there was proper confession. David did not say "I have erred" or "I have made a mistake." Errors and mistakes can be corrected through effort. Sin must be dealt with through repentance. David said, "I have sinned against the LORD." The full measure of David's confession can be found in Psalm 51. To minimize the reality of sin is to make a mockery of the redemption that paid for it. Jesus didn't go through the cross to fix your mistakes; He died to pay for your sins. And, third, there was a preeminent recognition. David had sinned against many--but there was One higher than all that he recognized, the LORD God Almighty. David confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD." David might have held tremendous human authority, but he had no clout before God. And now he had just heard from God through Nathan and there was nothing else to be done but bow before the Divine Judge in humble recognition. 

Beloved, all sins are an affront to the Holy One, and all sins must be brought before the Divine Judge who will either condemn or pardon us. Psalm 38:18 gives us a clear statement of repentance, "I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin." Take time to read Psalm 38 today and hear the groaning anguish of a heart under the conviction of God. Consider Proverbs 28:13, "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." There is Divine grace enough for all who will forsake their sin. As David in his transgression before God found mercy, so all who do as he did will find the same grace. 

Many fear being "found out" in their sins. But realize that Nathan did not publish this report to the nation of Israel. He brought God's word to David and confronted the king with his wickedness. Dear ones, has God's word been brought to you and your own heart has been confronted? Then make no excuses before the LORD. Confess and forsake your sins and hear the promise of God through Nathan the prophet: "The LORD has also put away your sin." 

In His Grace,
​Pastor Michael

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