There is nothing harder for me to bring to God than guilt – real guilt. Not the shame of a minor offense or trivial wrong-doing. But the guilt of one who has transgressed very badly, who has clearly overstepped the bound of righteousness love.
In those times when I know that I am guilty and possess no defense, what do I say? And how could I ever ask for help again? How do I reestablish a relationship that I have actively wounded and have nothing to offer but an apology?
Few know this experience better than David – the 11th century king of Israel – who, though richly blessed by God, could not contain his desires. He used his power to coerce sex from Bathsheba (the wife of one of his most loyal and courageous soldiers – Uriah). And when David’s adultery led to her pregnancy, he conspired to have Uriah killed to hide the crime. It was a plot of extreme hubris and lacking all sense of compassion. And one which God would not overlook.
David was confronted by the prophet Nathan, who revealed that God knew what had happened. Psalm 51 is David’s response – his confession of sin and plea for forgiveness. It is a deeply moving poem and one that assured us in our moment of guilt that a truly contrite heart will not be cast off from God’s grace and compassion.
Here is Ian Farrell’s sermon on Psalm 51…
