... "David said, 'I have disobeyed the Lord.' 'Yes, you have!' Nathan answered. 'You showed you didn't care what the Lord wanted. He has forgiven you and you won't die. But your newborn son will.' Then, Nathan went back home."   II Samuel 12: 13-14 (The Contemporary English Version)

The epic story of David is a familiar one from the Old Testament. A young shepherd boy who plays the harp, writes and sings hymns of praise to God, many of which are contained in the Book of Psalms. David's epic life is filled with victories and defeats as he grows in years. He kills Goliath the giant Philistine warrior and King Saul is so impressed with his success that he would not let him return to his own family, but made him a high-ranking officer in his army. As King Saul witnessed David's rising power, he came to feel that the Lord was helping David and not him and he became fearful that the people might want to make David their King. As a result, one day while David was playing the harp to soothe King Saul, an evil spirit took control of him and he tried to kill David, but David escaped. Later, when David had several opportunities to kill King Saul, he refused to do so and let him live. However, when the Philistine's closed in on Saul's army and engaged them in a fierce battle on Mount Gilboa, and defeat appeared eminent, Saul ordered one of his soldiers to kill him. When the solider refused, Saul took his own sword and ended his life to prevent his capture or ignominious defeat. Shortly afterward, the people of the tribe of Judah chose David to be their King.

Later David went on to become the King of the entire nation, and when he captured Jerusalem, he made it the capital of Israel and wanted to build a temple to the Lord to house the Ark of the Covenant. However, his military and political power began to corrupt him. He committed the double sins of adultery and murder and he had no compassion for his crimes. The Lord sent the Prophet Nathan to confront David and compel him to acknowledge his quilt. David confesses in the eloquent words of Psalm 51, "Wash me clean from all of my sin and guilt. I know about my sins and I cannot forget my terrible guilt. You are really the one I have sinned against; I have disobeyed you and have done wrong." Then Nathan assured David of God's forgiveness despite these heinous crimes.

What blessed assurance we have in knowing that God forgives our sins when we justly deserve only his wrath and punishment. We too can share in such forgiveness as we confess our sins and seek His forgiveness in the atoning sacrifice of our Saviour. Just as Jesus forgave Peter for his infamous threefold denial, so He forgives all those who turn to Him in repentant prayer.

Gracious Father, forgive us for our sins and failures of the past. Help us to acknowledge our guilt and enable us, like David, to repent for our wrongdoing and seek your forgiveness. Pardon and restore us to your fellowship through the blood of our Redeemer, Jesus the Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Contributed by Susan
Sunday June 24, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 30