My Sin, My Sorrow, My Pain

Have you ever cried out to God over your sin? Ever cried out seeking forgiveness? Sometimes, it seems like we plead and plead and still do not feel relief. Whether guilt or shame overtakes you, or extreme sorrow over violating God’s will for you, comfort does not seem to come. I see that in David, the man after God’s own heart, as he cried out to God following His sin with Bathsheba. Psalm 51 has the subtitle, “A Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.”  David wrote this psalm after Nathan confronted him for his sin with a married woman, after David had committed adultery. Nathan told David that God knew all about his sin which David thought he had so cleverly hidden.

 

After his sin was exposed, David’s heart was filled with shame and godlysorrow. He pleaded with God to have mercy on him. He asked God to “blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! (Psalm 51.1, 2). When David finally realized his offense was against God, it brought him to sorrow and tears. He wanted to make it right. He wanted a chance to start over.  He wanted God to forgive him. His sorrow was so great that he cried out, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (51.10). He wanted a clean heart—one not stained with sorrow and sin. In v. 7, David begged God to “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” David said, “Purge me”—“de-sin-a-tize” me.  He wants God to undo what he had done—to remove sin’s actions, guilt, stain, and shame.

 

Ever felt that way? That you would do anything to have your guilt and stain removed? Anything to make you feel better? You have carried the burden so long that you tell God you will do whatever it takes to make things right. We try to ignore our feelings. We try to go on as if nothing has happened. We try to put it out of our minds. But it doesn’t work, does it? The only thing that will work is acknowledging your sin and failure before the only One who can lift you up. Can you do that? Can you let God wash you and make you whole? Can you overcome your pride and fear of what others’ think, and turn to God? God is waiting, will you turn to Him and relieve your pain?                                                                                                              Gary

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