Yesterday we examined the great joy David experienced after having been forgiven of his transgressions in the Bathsheba affair. We briefly examined the three aspects of sin and the blessing involved with having both the record and the effects of those sins wiped clean.
But there was a fourth clause—offered above—which I purposely left out of yesterday’s reading. I did so because David’s thoughts take a slight turn and he now introduces what I believe is actually the key to repentance and forgiveness.
The word translated as “guile” (Heb. remîyâh) in today’s verse has a fuller meaning than our English word seems to indicate. I believe that a better word to have used might have been “insincerity.” “Blessed is the man… in whose spirit there is no insincerity.”
We all know what a godly life David led in his earlier years, but once he began enjoying the luxuries of the palace life, it seems that his walk with the Lord grew stale. By the time he had his encounter with Bathsheba, a long period of spiritual lethargy had left him vulnerable to temptation. Each sin brought with it an ever greater deadness of soul. A year of languishing in this condition had left him hollow and miserable—ripe for a confrontation from a prophet. With life-and-death authority, he could have ordered the execution of the bold prophet on the spot. Instead, he responded by immediately humbling himself and entering a time of deep, heartfelt repentance.
The key to his response was the condition of his heart. Underneath all his folly and poor decision making was a sincere heart that compelled him to respond correctly. Had he been insincere he would have reacted much differently. He could have responded like so many do in such situations. He might have presumed upon the position of favor he had enjoyed with the Lord in the past: “God’s grace covers all my sins!” Or he might have continued in the hypocrisy of acting as though he still enjoyed a right relationship with God.
No, during his prayer of repentance he said, “Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom.” (Psalm 51:6 GNB) Another psalmist would later sum up David’s case: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 Amp)
We all have those times when we get off-track spiritually, or even give over to blatant sin. But our loving Father will be sure to bring reproof and discipline at the perfect time. May we all respond as David did: with a sincere willingness to examine our hearts, acknowledge our sins and thoroughly repent.