David’s Burdened Conscience

After the affair with Bathsheba, mentioned in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, David tried to silence his conscience for about a year. In vain! The awareness that he was guilty before God kept gnawing at him. Day and night he felt God’s hand pressing heavily on him. The effects of such severe mental pressure did not take long to appear. Insomnia, loss of appetite, and physical suffering had made David a wreck. Dear reader, a child of God does not sin cheaply! Let us not think to ourselves that time will heal the wounds.

Confession, Forgiveness, and Restoration

Today’s psalm shows that we will ultimately lose the fight against our conscience. Either we bow, or we break. We cannot escape the eye of God. God appeals to us to confess our sins with sincere repentance. So let us not react like a proud horse or a stubborn mule. Let us do what He requires of us. God wants to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). So do not keep carrying your burden of sin around. At this moment, as you read this, God can be found. You will learn that a clear conscience is balm for your spirit. When fellowship with God is restored, the feelings of guilt, which felt like a flood of mighty waters, will not reach you. You will again fully enjoy deliverance and close fellowship with God (v. 7). “How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered!”

Joy in Christ’s Forgiveness

How wonderful it is that we may listen to David’s call again today. We do so by rejoicing in Him. He has granted us forgiveness in Christ Jesus.