When I Have Sinned - Psalm 51:1-13

Is there a man in the crowd today that likes to admit that he is on the wrong road headed in the wrong direction? It is sometimes difficult to pick up the map and try to locate where you are and how to get back on the freeway and headed in the right direction. There is no argument about this matter—embarrassing as it may be—it is the right thing to do. It is hard to admit to your wife that you have made a wrong turn at the last intersection. Sometimes as a Christian, you will find it even more difficult to admit to God that you have committed a grievous sin and it is taking you in the wrong spiritual direction. Spiritual driving on the wrong road can often lead you into a ghetto where crime and destruction hazardously awaits your next turn.

Today we will study the Psalm that David used to give an example of his hazardous driving on his spiritual road home. He had committed some major sins—not minor offenses. He had reached the area in his life that was life threatening and was still man enough to repent, get his road map out and find his way back into fellowship with God.

The superscription that heads the 51st Psalm says that this is a psalm of David written for the director of music following the time when Nathan went to visit David and warned him that he had knowingly and willingly committed adultery with the wife of one of his prize soldiers. No doubt that Bathsheba had played apart in this affair, but we must treat her fairly and acknowledge that she was dealing with her King, and even though she knew that she was sinning, it would have been difficult for her to refuse him in his position of power. The act of adultery was a sin in depth but David realized that he had taken advantage of this woman and his sorrow and regret must have been great. His attempt to cover his sin included murder, lying and forceful involvement of others honest people that did not want to be involved.

If you will go now and read the story of how David was alone at his palace and knew the setting, and the habit of this woman bathing on her roof top in view of one wing of the King’s palace. He, no doubt had observed her before, and knew who she was—even though he inquired as to her identity. David premeditated this evil act and went against his own conscientious, not only carrying out his own lustful desire but actually forcing her to be a part in it; and involving other innocent bystanders. He fully intended to commit this sin—but just did not expect to get caught and surely did not realize how far he would go to try to cover his actions. It is easy for us to see how deeply involved he is in this matter, and how he now has only one way out. He has to confront all of his people and the God of his life with the one tool left; which is repentance before God and a plea for his forgiveness.

Look inside at the enter being of the greatest of all earthly kings and try to imagine what you see in his action and reaction; place yourself in his place and feel the enter pangs of sorrow for you sin. Internalize this moment; place yourself in his shoes and face God alone with no self defense other than to admit that you were conceived in sin and have now succumbed to sin’s power over you.

Remember now that there are no little or big sins; therefore you must realize that your sin and mine are all grave in God’s sight. [For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.] We, like David, have also sinned against God. What can we do? What can we say? We must repeat his words and plead—Have mercy on me, Oh God. Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion—transgression. Did God forgive him? Yes. Will he forgive us? Yes. How? According to his compassion and love; and greater love has no man than to be willing to die for him. Christ died for David and John, me, and you.

David prayed, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Had that already happened? No. Did it happen? Yes, it did when Christ spilled his blood on the cross and washed away his sin…and ours also.

If you have not read this chapter…do so now…and you can boast of reading one of the most sincere prayers ever prayed by a sinful man. You will learn that there is more to a prayer of forgiveness than just forgiven sin.

The total process must also create within us a clean heart. That is past sins are forgiven first and then our hearts must have the inclination to remain free from future sins. A clean heart can not sin. A forgiven person desires the presence of the Holy Spirit and realizes that so long as the Spirit lives within us, sin can not exist in the same territory.

The most difficult request made in this prayer is that the memory of committed sin will vanish and torment David no more. Only when we forgive ourselves can we reach the place where God can restore unto us the joy of our salvation. The joy of salvation can not exist in the hart of one who is continuing in sin. We can only enjoy God’s presence through the visitation of the Holly Spirit when we are free from sin.

Then David made God a promise. He said now God, do to me and for me as I have prayed and “I will teach transgressors your ways and sinners will turn back to you.”

The largest and most complicated Super highway interchange in the world is located in Houston, Texas. I would not dare exit on to this interchange without having a map in my car and everyone knowing that I am willing to follow it. The sinful road to spiritual destruction is just as complicated as the Houston interchange and I will not attempt to drive on it without instructions as how to exit on to the straight and narrow road that leads to heaven.

The title of this lesson today is WHEN I HAVE SINNED. The best question about the title is WHAT MUST I DO? And the ONLY answer to this question is DO AS DIAVID DID—REPENT OF YOUR SIN AND SEEK FORGIVINESS FROM THE LORD WHO LOVES YOU. The results will be THE RETURN OF THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION HERE AND LIFE EVERLASTING.