Today we’re going to continue our study of David’s attitudes, thoughts, and actions so that we can learn how to become more of the apple of God’s eye like David.
Here are three more things about David to consider imitating.
David confessed his sinfulness and sin
I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. (Psalm 38:18)
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. (Psalm 51:3-4)
For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. (Psalm 38:4-6)
For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. (Psalm 40:12)
O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. (Psalm 69:5)
As you read the Psalms it becomes obvious that David was very aware of his sinfulness. Not just the Bathsheba incident, but his sinfulness in general. He acknowledged his sinfulness to God and confessed his sin to Him.
Acknowledgement of sin is important because it helps you to remain humble, especially before God Who is holy and pure. Confessing your sin to God is part of the reconciliation process after you sin. Acknowledgement of sin and confession lead to forgiveness.
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)
Forgiveness brings reconciliation and closeness to your relationship with God.
Rejoiced in God
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:5–6)
In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! (Psalm 21:1)
I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, (Psalm 31:6–7)
I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:2)
But my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. (Psalm 13:5-6)
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. (Psalm 16:9)
The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. (Psalm 28:7)
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation. (Psalm 35:9)
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. (Psalm 63:3-7)
David made a habit of rejoicing in God and what He had done. He even danced before the Lord with all his might rejoicing (2 Sam 6:14). He was a living example of rejoicing in God. This theme is repeated in the New Testament where we are told to rejoice in the Lord:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice (Php 4:4)
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (Php 3:1)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thes 5:16-18)
Purposed to be righteous/sinfree
You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. (Psalm 17:3)
For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. (Psalm 18:21)
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, proclaiming aloud your thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds. (Psalm 26:3–7)
But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. (Psalm 26:11)
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:13-14)
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! (Psalm 119:30-32)
I will incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end. (Psalm 119:112)
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. (Psalm 86:11)
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! (Psalm 119:10)
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. (Psalm 119:35-37)
David had a personal drive to be holy, righteous, and pleasing to God. He desired to live a godly life and set his mind and heart on doing exactly that. Was he successful all the time, no. But he tried with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength.
Think about it
Dealing with sin:
- Do you recognize how sinful you are?
- Do you consider your sin a heavy weight like David or do you minimize it sometimes?
- Do you regularly confess your sin to God regularly?
Rejoicing in the Lord:
- What does rejoicing in the Lord mean to you? How would you go about rejoicing in God?
- David often linked his rejoicing to God’s love and salvation and rejoiced regardless of circumstances. Do you rejoice in those things?
- Do you rejoice in God regardless of your circumstances?
- Do you feel you rejoice in the Lord as much as you would like to or should?
Desire to live right:
- Are you passionate about living a sin-free, righteous and holy life? How does your life show that passion? Do you often resist temptations and sin? What area of your life do you struggle the most to be righteous/holy/godly? What can you do to stay righteous in that area?
Which of these three areas – confession, rejoicing in the Lord, pursuing righteousness – do you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to focus?
