A Repentant Prayer 

 

King David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness… Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me… Create in me a new heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

 

            King David was as scripture declares “a man after God’s own heart” ^[1] and “the apple of God’s eye.” ^[2] If that is the case then why on earth would he need to utter the above prayer of repentance?  Because he is human; frail and fault ridden. No mortal man is perfect; not even close. So though his relationship with Almighty God was close, it required the Lord to exhibit extreme patience in the face of David’s indiscretions.

            David knew God intimately, yet was still tempted to sin and worse yet, had succumbed to that sin. He knew he was in need of a serious spiritual cleansing. He needed to be once again cleansed of his sinful behavior. David sought a new heart and a faithful and unswerving spirit toward his God.

            David exhibited humility when he recognized his need to be cleansed by the Lord. He knew what he had done was sinful in God’s eyes, but did it, nonetheless. Now God knows the sincerity of David’s repentant prayer and the motivation of his heart. It was one of contrition, deep sorrow and regret. 

            The lesson we can take from David’s situation is that God obviously understands our frail state and while we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our God, mistakes in judgment shall be made. God’s grace doesn’t allow our mistakes to define us. We always have a chance to repent. Take David’s prayer to heart. Perhaps it may even apply to you. I know it does me. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (Acts 13:22 NIV); The phrase also appears in the Old Testament in 1 Samuel 13:14 (NIV), where the prophet Samuel tells Saul: “But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

^[2] David refers to himself as the "apple of God's eye" in Psalm 17:8, where he prays, "Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings."