Most of us have been there. Made a mistake (or a string of mistakes) that we hoped nobody would see. A mistake that we hoped God would just overlook if we pretended we had done nothing wrong. Or maybe it was something we had done and justified in our mind, but it really wasn’t up to God’s standards. Then we try and spend time with God…. and nothing… We ask what we can do to restore relationship and hear His voice again… and then comes the conviction. The painful, soul-baring knowledge that something we have done/thought cannot be taken back or ignored and needs to be repented for or possibly remedied.
This is Psalm 51. David’s bungling mess with Bathsheba is brought to the fore by the prophet Nathan. Sure, we may think that what David did is pretty far removed from how far we can stray and stumble, he did after all, commit adultery, followed by deceit, followed by murder. But all sin is terrible in God’s eyes and He is pleased when we listen to His correction, humble ourselves and repent of sin and mistakes.
This is what this psalm of David so clearly shows, his immediate repentance and willingness to humble himself before God, to confess his sins and seek forgiveness. David was not a perfect man, but by God’s standards, David was a man after his own heart.
This all leads me to reflect then, how willing am I to admit failure, accept humility and fall before our God in confession of that which he brings to my attention. Depends on the day really and how well I am listening for His voice… but reading this psalm sure encourages me in the right direction. Hands outstretched before the throne of grace. Just like David.