Godward Journey

Bible Passage: Psalms 51:1-17

I. Introductory matters

1. Twofold effects of sin: the act of sin and its stain upon the person’s heart and conscience!
2. David violated God’s holiness and subsequently was weighed down by guilt, but he was probably attempting to live with external cover ups!
3. David’s battle against his own flesh was stronger than the battle in the field
4. Nathan preached God’s Word fearlessly (2 Sam 12:7 You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel)
5. The Word of God brought David to his knees in humility and brokenness (2 Sam 12:13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord”)—response to the Word
6. Psalm 51 is a public confession of a sinner which is as powerful as capital punishment or even worse!
7. God’s forgiveness is a pointer to the Gospel (2 Sam 12:13 “Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin)
8. For a period of time the psalmist’s relationship with God had been in a state of deep hurt, which he talks about it in his psalm (6 different feelings)

a. A guilty heart (verse 3 I am aware of my rebellious acts; I am forever conscious of my sin)
b. A haunted conscience (verse 4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight)
c. A dirty feeling (verse 7 sprinkle me with water and I will be pure; wash me and I will be whiter than snow)
d. A disturbed heart and conflicted spirit (verse 10 Create for me a pure heart, O God and renew a resolute/enthusiastic spirit within me)
e. A sense of rejection and absence of the Holy Spirit dwelling (verse 11 Do not reject me! Do not take your Holy Spirit away from me!)
f. A lack of authentic worship (verse 15 O Lord, give me the words! Then my mouth will praise you)

9. The hurt was caused by his deliberate actions which explains with three words!

a. Transgression (verse 1)—willful knowledgeable violation of a norm or standard
b. Iniquity (verse 2)—distortion or ethical crime that caused injury
c. Sin (verse 3)—disqualifying offense

10. Though he offended another man, it amounts to offending God “against you and you alone have I sinned”
11. He knew God’s standard in His relationship with believers

a. Does not delight in sacrifice (verse 16)—external (façade)
b. Desires a broken spirit and contrite heart (verse 17)—internal

11. When God confronted him (2 Sam 12), the psalmist puts an end to his guilt by confessing his sins to God and praying for his restoration by God

a. Confession
b. Prayer for restoration (many word pictures)

12. Confidence in God’s restoration (verse 17 O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject; cf. 2 Sam 12:13 “the LORD has forgiven your sin”)

II. Theology of Psalms 51

1. A genuine believer cannot remain in a state of guilt and habitual sin (cf. 1 John 3:6, 9)
2. God restores a repentant believer to a complete relationship with Him (cf. 1 John 1:9)
3. Christian life is not a life without sin, but it is a life with a culture of confession and repentance (1 John 1:8-9)

III. Just as Nathan pointed David back to God, we have Jesus, our Paraclete (1 John 2:1-2)

1. Verse 1: if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Paraclete/Advocate
2. Verse 2: He is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world
3. A Christian stands before God not because he/she is sinless or righteous, but because God has appointed an Paraclete/Advocate, who intercedes for us perpetually
4. A Christian does not need to be in denial, but he/she needs to be vulnerable before God (1 John 1:5-7)

Takeaway:

1. You need not hide yourself from God because of what you did in the past
2. Confess (admit) your deliberate dishonorable behaviors that displeased God and repent from your dishonorable behaviors