“Against thee, thee only have I sinned” was David’s cry. The fifty-first Psalm displays the grief that his sin brought upon him. Because of David’s lust he had one of his most trusted warier put to death. He lost the respect of many solders and advisers; He made enemies in his own family. David could never undo the damage that had been done. He was the father of an illegitimate child that would die soon after birth. The thing that seemed to hurt David the most, though, was that he had severed his relation from God.

He understood to a degree what his sin had done in his life, but the effects of his sin would be far reaching. I do not think David understood that his sin would cause him so much misery. But it didn’t at first. David was doing a good job hiding his sin from man. He had Uria Killed; Bathsheba was free to marry. Nothing to see here.

David’s drift started long before he saw a woman bathing from his kingdom. His heart had drifted from God. He was no longer in the pursuit of God, but he was in the pursuit of pleasure. This is validated by the fact that David was not leading his men in battle. He did not feel like leaving the comfort of his own palace. He was consumed with self.

2 Samuel 11:1-2 KJV

And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Here is the testimony of David after this act, “the thing that David did displeased the LORD.” That is a horrible testimony. As a son of God, the thought of displeasing my Heavenly Father grieves my heart. I know that there are times in my life when my actions are displeasing to God. I hate the fact that my sinful flesh is against God. My flesh is always lusting to envy, and when I am chasing my will or my comfort then the odds of me slipping into a place where I am displeasing to God is very great.

How awful it is to fail our God. I know from experience that when I have failed my savior, I find it hard to believe that God will ever forgive me. Usually it is hard to get back into a place of prayer and fellowship with him. The guilt is so overpowering that it is easier to ignore all things God than to face up to the sins that were committed. Thankfully, God does not just leave us to hide from his presence. Like Adam and Eve, God did not let them stay in hiding. Sooner or later, he will call us out to face him. That often includes a time of Judgment. God wants to restore us to a clean state. He wants to forgive us of our sins and help us walk uprightly. We must not harden our necks to this process. God wants to offer forgiveness.

When we are cleansed by God, we are purged. That does not mean there will be no consequences, but we will be restored with God. Maybe one day, I will learn how to keep my heart from even those little presumptuous sins, knowing that they will lead me down a path that brings separation from my Heavenly Father. Oh, the joy of true forgiveness. If you have never experienced the forgiveness of God, please read Born Again and see how you can be restored to God.

Psalm 51 KJV

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

⁴ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

¹⁵ O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

¹⁶ For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

¹⁸ Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹ Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

S. T. 
Acts 20:24
"But none of these things move me..."