Scripture:
Psalm 51:1-13
2 Samuel 11:1-5
Illustration:
Imagine I brought a 6 foot long rattlesnake into the classroom...How would you respond? (Billy would run like a girl) What if you decided that you were not capable of being bitten by a snake.....what that be good enough?
Often we treat sin and temptations in a different way. Instead being afraid of sin and running from it we entertain it and convince ourselves that we are not capable of being "bitten" by the sin. David experienced this and we will see that illustrated in 2 Samuel.
Before we can look at how to respond when we have sinned I feel it is important to look at the Sin that took place in the life of David so we can learn where he went wrong and how we can avoid falling into a sin trap.
Background - David’s Sin
The Sin
David was not where he was supposed to be - 2 Samuel 11-1
David should have been at battle with his army - This shows up front his priorities were already out of line.
Isn't that usually the start of temptation? - we should be somewhere else
David sees bathsheba & is tempted - 2 Samuel 11-2
He does not run from it - he is not afraid
Instead he starts to ask about her 2 samuel 11-3
He finds she is married
David uses his power as king to have her sleep with him 2 Samuel 11-4
Do you think David woke up one morning and thought - I am going to commit adultery today. He was where he should not have been, he let his mind entertain the temptation of sleeping with Bathsheba and then he acted on it.
His sin provides some immediate consequences 2 Samuel 11-5
The Cover-Up
Attempt 1 - He brings Uriah out of battle and tries to get him to go and sleep with his wife - Uriah is loyal to his army and knows that it would not be the right thing to do even though it is tempting.
Attempt 2 - David tries to get him drunk so he will go home and sleep with his wife - no luck - his loyalty shines though.
Attempt 3 - David tells joab to put uriah in the most dangerous front lines and retreat from him - in order that he dies in battle vs being murdered - This works
THE Condemnation
Finally david is confronted by Nathan, a prophet sent by god & he confesses that he was wrong
He could have denied it
He could have had nathan killed
HIs response - I have sinned against the lord 2 sam 12:11-13
REPENTANCE - Where we pick up in psalms
David asks for God to forgive him - Psalm 51:1-5
VERSE 1 - Mercy - have compassion on me, blot out my transgressions such as a debt is blotted from a balance sheet
VERSE 2 - Take away my sin, wash me from my sinful ways
VERSE 3 - I admit my mistakes, i know i am a sinner who is constantly tempted.
VERSE 4 - I have sinned against you God, I am ready for judgement, i know that what i have done is not pleasing to you.
VERSE 5 - I recognize that I am a sinner who has a sinful nature.
David asks God to cleanse him- PSALM 51:6-9
VERSE 6 - Inward parts are hidden - David is asking for purity in areas that only God sees. This is not how he will appear to his people or his reputation. It's being clean before God. His sin started internally and became evident to those around him when it turned into an external physical sin.
VERSE 7 - Hyssop - a bush that was used ceremonially to dip in blood - a purification process- israelites were instructed to use this when they put the blood on their door frames
VERSE 8 - broken bones- often if a sheep was straying - the shepherd would break it’s leg and carry it - once healed it would follow - it prevented death.
David asks god to renew him PSALM 51: 10-13
VERSE 10 - Clean my heart and renew a steadfast spirit - Bring me back to the place where i was - when i trusted you and genuinely was seeking to do your work
VERSE 11- keep me in your presence, don’t remove your spirit from me.
VERSE 12- Joy of your salvation- the joy of being in your presence and knowing that you will deliver your promise of salvation brings me joy
Verse 13- So i can teach others about you, and convert sinners - unselfish motive- David wants to serve the Lord.
Don’t be a david - ask God to do this in your life before you do something really stupid and Sin bites you like a snake.
Focus on the small sins and temptations in your life and run from them. This is where Satan slowly attacks you over time and before you know it your in a place you never imagined.
