Penitent Prayer

 Psalm 51:7
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

The sin of David in our day would be considered scandalous. A man in a prominent position, a person that many hailed as a wonderful leader, succumbed to his selfish desires to take another man’s wife and commit adultery, and hired a “hitman” to have the wife’s husband killed. If such an act were done in today’s society, his popularity would have dipped to an all time low. Such a man is held to a higher standard and should be an example to those who look up to him. Yes, we all know that we are just humans that are not perfect, and make mistakes, but David not only messed up, but he willfully disobeyed the commandments of God and sinned against God. He tried to cover it up for a while, but God sent the Holy Spirit in the form of a prophet to uncover his sin. Such is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and guilt to our hearts when we fall short of the mark and are found wanting. David was found guilty and his sin was revealed to everyone who heard the prophet Nathan. David was a man after God’s own heart, and his guilt brought him to his knees. Unlike Saul, the former king,  he made no excuses for his actions and took full responsibility. Forgiveness comes from God and God alone. Man can forgive, but it does not bring complete healing of the heart. The penitent prayer of David and God’s forgiveness reminds us that God is merciful. He desires that we don’t continue in sin, but He is faithful and just to forgive us of our failures. He will wash us, and make us clean, whiter than snow. Restore us back to Him.

Come Now To God

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Yes, no one is perfect. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away from his own desires. Satan walks around seeking whom he may devour. Everyone is subject to temptation and even good people in a moment of weakness can succumb to temptation. And if we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who is faithful and just to forgive all who come to him in humility and confession. Such is the love and promise of God who is full of grace and mercy. We also have a way of escape when tempted if we avail ourselves to the grace of God. Allowing the Holy Spirit to help us make choices that will lead us in the light. The grace and mercy of God extend even to those who have left the path and now walk in darkness. To the hypocrite, who outwardly appears to be religious, but is full of dead men’s bones. God says “Come now”. No matter your condition, no matter what you have done, He wants to make your heart as white as snow.

Whiter Than Snow

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Sin is not removed by the acts of good deeds. It is a stained that is stamped deep in the heart of mankind. The root of evil is rebellion against God and an unwillingness to believe that God is holy and just. Sin, conceived in the heart of man since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of creation rules the nature of man. But also within the heart of man is a desire to know God, and to find meaning in life. Though our sins be as a stain that cannot be removed, God entreats us to come to Him. Christ died to remove the stain of sin from our heart. He, who is sinless, gave His life for you and me. Even if our heart is wicked, heinous, and commits immoral acts, we can come to Him in confession. God is not unreasonable. He is a God of grace and love. No matter the sin, He is willing to forgive and remove. He is able to wash our sins away and give us a heart that is whiter than snow.