Stirred by Grace
READ
In His grace, God used David’s lineage to establish Christ’s eternal Kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16). Despite this position of honor, David was not altogether righteous—he was an imperfect forerunner for the promised Savior King. David’s life was filled with chaos, apostasy, and the disastrous consequences of his selfish decisions. Ultimately, his sin would be redeemed, and God’s good purposes would prevail. But in the meantime, David had to confront the relational and spiritual costs of his moral failure.
Driven by lust, David slept with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his most loyal soldiers, Uriah. When Bathsheba became pregnant, David scrambled to conceal his sin. But his attempt to manipulate Uriah into going home to his wife quickly unraveled. In his desperation, David placed Uriah on the front lines of a battle against Joab, which led to his death. Uriah’s blood was on David’s hands.
After committing adultery and plotting the murder of his trusted soldier, David could hardly face God. Overwhelmed by his sin, he fell at God’s feet and begged for forgiveness. Despite his myriad of mistakes, David’s desperate humility and surrender was pleasing to God. Though he felt the full weight of his sin, he trusted that God’s mercy was bigger than his mistakes. Inspired by God’s unfailing love, he asked God to change his heart and his ways.
When we are overwhelmed by our waywardness, we can follow David’s example. We can come before God, confident in His mercy. After being reminded of His graciousness and glory, we can let go of our shame and repent with a joyful heart.
Let’s take a moment to read Psalm 51:1-17:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
REFLECT
Just like David, we are called to fully acknowledge our depravity and mourn over our sin. In order to accept God’s saving grace, we must first admit that we need to be saved. After all, Jesus didn’t come to save those who believe they have it all together; He came to save those who know how desperately they need Him (Luke 5:32). When we confess our sin before God, we affirm that the cross is our only hope.
But we aren’t meant to dwell in our shame because shame was put to death on the cross! It is a soul-sucking parasite. It keeps our focus turned inward. It keeps us trapped in unproductive cycles of self-flagellation. Ultimately, the focus of our faith is not our sin, but our Savior. We have to remember that Christianity is not about what we’ve done wrong, but what God has done right.
When we confess our sins before the Lord, we can approach Him without fear of rejection (Hebrews 4:16). We can come before Him with peace in our hearts, knowing that His forgiveness is inexhaustible and His love is unconditional. David asked in faith for God’s grace, knowing all the while that He would grant his desperate request. We are called to do the same. When we stand confident in God’s character, we glorify Him!
Here’s the thing: God doesn’t need or expect perfection from us. As David notes, God isn’t pleased by some contrived religious performance or rote sacrifice. All He wants is our hearts, our willingness to obey, and our genuine surrender. Truly, the only thing that God lacks is brokenness. That is why He desires our “broken and repentant hearts”—He can use our depravity to reveal His character and put His mercy on display (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Finally, notice what prompts David’s repentance: the joy of salvation. It is not our guilt that prompts us to obey God. It is not our inner critic that will refine and sanctify us. Despite what we may think, we cannot shame ourselves into lasting change. It is only when we get acquainted with God’s goodness and love that we are motivated to let go of our old ways. It is God’s kindness, not our negative self-talk, that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4)!
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
Do you acknowledge your need for God’s grace and mercy? Are you confident that He can—and will—forgive you?
Have you been trying to shame yourself into changing? How can you allow God’s goodness to motivate your growth?
REST
Take a moment to rest in God’s presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
Abba, Father, King of the universe! Thank You for Your unending grace! Lord, I confess that I am a broken sinner, someone who desperately needs Your mercy. Please look away from my sin and forgive me, Lord, according to Your unfailing love! God, I stand confident that the cross has done everything necessary to save me. Help me to have faith that You are willing and able to wash me clean. Abba, let my knowledge of Your amazing grace motivate me to change. Let me follow in Your ways, rather than continuing to do what is right in my own eyes. Sustain in me a willing spirit. Amen.
Port City writer Kate Redenbaugh wrote today’s devotional.