Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking him to meet you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.'”
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.”
– 2 Samuel 12:7-14
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
– Psalm 51:1-4
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
– 1 John 1:9
Devotion
God sent His prophet, Nathan. to confront David and help pull him out of the downward spiral of sin.
David’s failed attempts to “manage” the consequences of his sinful behavior had failed. Once he came to his senses, David didn’t make excuses or try to justify his behavior. He admitted his sin to himself, Nathan, and God. Read Psalm 51 for insight into David’s honest assessment of his sin and his heart-felt repentance after Nathan confronted him.
The Big Question
When you become aware of some area of sin in your life, do you try to deny it or make excuses for it? Do you try to manage the consequences of your sin? What is keeping you from taking it to the Lord and asking for His forgiveness and cleansing?
Conclude in prayer and silence reflecting on what you’ve learned.