The words usually flowed so easily! He would sit down to write or compose, strum a few strings on the harp, and immediately the dam would break! This was easy for David! He’d been writing poems and songs since he was a young boy watching his father’s sheep. The loneliness cultivated a quiet, humble attitude. His voice and playing soothed the sheep. His repertoire gradually grew to the point that he had songs for nearly every situation.
Later in life, he was called to the court of King Saul to play comforting songs to ease his troubled mind. It worked! Saul was ministered to by David’s constant redirection to God and His faithfulness. Saul came to love this young man because he was the only one who could calm Saul’s disturbed thinking.
Others came to know David’s songs. Many of them became a regular part of the worship of the people! It was an innovation added to the dry forms that had come to characterize worship in Jerusalem with its constant sacrifices and strict observations. David’s songs were sung from the heart! The people found themselves singing them in their homes, at their work and as they journeyed.
And now – to top it off – this beloved David had been their king for many years. His succeeding of King Saul had been easy and natural. He was beloved by the people! His exploits and triumphs were legendary! His reputation began with the killing of Goliath and continued with the radical expansion of his kingdom! Many nations now paid tribute to David and the Kingdom of Judah,
But today, none of that mattered. Today, his words didn’t flow. Today it was as though there was an iron wall between David and Yahweh! The strumming of the strings produced nothing. He sat slumped in silence with his mind ruminating on deep, deep regrets.
He sang several of his old songs, but none of them fit the need for today. His grief and sorrow was real, but he had no means to express them.
He was ashamed! He had done dreadful things. He had broken the commands of his God. He had hurt people deeply. He had betrayed his wives. He was responsible for the taking of a life! Oh, it had not been by his hand, but it had been done as a result of his instructions. And to top it off, this man had been his friend and a respected leader in his army! In fact, this man had been one of David’s ‘mighty men’; men who were deeply committed to David and his protection!
It had all begun because David had not gone to battle with his army. This time – getting older – he had stayed home. Instead of being where he should have been, he couldn’t sleep. He went to the rooftop on a hot summer night. He looked down and spotted a woman taking a bath. He sent for her. He seduced her. She was the wife of Uriah, who was away fighting for Israel. Shortly after, she sent David word that she was pregnant!
And David’s world crumbled.
In shame and desperation he set in motion a plan that would lead to Uriah’s death. And David knew that things would never be the same.
So here he sat, with nothing to say to the God he had so grossly disappointed and offended.
Till finally after sleepless nights and foodless days he lay in the dark completely defeated. He woke up cold and wrapped his robe around him. It was dark. He hadn’t spoken to anyone for days.
That’s when he finally found words that matched his desperation, despair and depression.
With tears quietly streaming down his face, he spoke to the One he had defied:
God,
Be merciful to me
because You are loving.
Because You are always
ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs.
Wash away all my guilt
and make me clean again.
I have done what You
say is wrong…
Take away my sin, and I
will be clean.
Wash me and I will be
whiter than snow.
Create in me a pure heart, God,
And make my spirit
right again.
Do not send me away
from You or take Your Holy Spirit away from me.
Give me back the joy of
Your salvation!
_____________________________________________
Be reminded today that there is always a way back into God’s
graces! It involves humbling ourselves
and expressing sorrow over our bad choices.
It requires honesty and submission added to a sincere sense of
regret!
But there is a way to be restored! Don’t delay.
Carry your concerns to God today – right now!
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