Psalm 51: A model for forgiveness and gratitude

Written by King David, many people consider Psalm 51 to be the most anguished confession of sin in the Bible. It is that, but it is also much more. The psalm provides us a blueprint to follow if we ever find ourselves dealing with the wreckage of wandering from God.

'Blueprint' may not be the best word to use when describing this psalm. Many times, a blueprint is a simple process to follow in order to achieve a goal. Blueprints tend to be more intellectually driven and do not usually include the contents of our heart.

While this psalmist's goal is repentance and restoration of fellowship with God, we need to always remember that one of the most important parts of us that God wants is our heart. If there is one characteristic here that leaps out at us, it is how David poured his heart out to God. David was genuinely sorry for what he had done and was not going through a ritualistic exercise so he could feel better about himself.

David wrote this psalm after he began his relationship with Bathsheba. While Bathsheba's soldier husband was away, David began an affair with her. The Bible details their relationship in 2 Samuel 11, including David's efforts to kill her husband and its aftermath.

Keeping in mind that at different points in his life many described David as "a man after God's own heart," his list of sins in this situation is startling. The list includes his lusting after Bathsheba, committing adultery with her, conspiring to deceive her husband, making her husband drunk, conspiring to murder then actually murdering him, and then ignoring his sins until Nathan confronted him in 2 Samuel 12.

David wrote this psalm at some point after Nathan confronted him. It was at this point that the enormity of his sins against God and the pain he had inflicted on people began to hit him. His writing sheds light on his regret and his desire to recapture a close fellowship with God.

The first nine verses are an urgent plea. He confesses that he sinned against God and needed His forgiveness. In the first two verses, he admitted his "transgressions." In verse four, it is clear that David knew that a person can sin only against God. He may have hurt other people, but God is the only One we can sin against.

He then asked that God forgive and cleanse him. In verse seven, he asked: "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Hyssop was a plant used in ritual cleansing at that time.

The final verses are a response of gratitude to God. He continued to petition God for forgiveness, but he knew that if he wanted to change, he would have to remain close to Him. In verses 11-12 he pleaded, "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

He then closed the psalm by saying he would teach others so that they would know all about God and know not to do what he did. In this case, David was willing to use his experiences as a teaching tool for others. Likewise, after we sin, good can come of it if we are humble enough to allow our experiences to help others when needed.

Sometimes, people think that things they have done may be too much for God to forgive. David's list of sins was severe and wide ranging, but God was there for him. When we do wrong to others, it is human to want to avoid those we have hurt. The same goes with our relationship with God. When we sin against God, we realize we have hurt Him so we are hesitant to turn to Him.

Do not let anything you may have done in your past be a stumbling block when it comes to God. He was there waiting for David when he was ready. He wants to do the same for you.

How much are we like Jonah?

The brief Book of Jonah, tucked away toward the end of the Old Testament, is an interesting study of God's patience when the person He chooses for a job does not want to do it. This situation applies to all of us to a certain degree. At one time or another, we have all resisted doing a job God has wanted us to perform.

However, as this book shows, God does not give up easily as we come up with reasons not to serve Him. In Jonah's situation, God used some unusual tactics to get his attention. While we may never spend time inside a fish, the spiritual conviction we feel as we wrestle with God about a matter is often no less dramatic.

The part of this book that most people know is the three days Jonah spent inside a fish. But there is a lot more here than that. Though only four chapters long, the book teaches that bitterness can take root in all our hearts if we lose our focus.

The book began with God telling Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach against it because their wickedness was great. In one of the few examples in the Bible of a prophet refusing a direct commission to prophesy, Jonah refused. Not only did he say 'no,' but he also left in an attempt to avoid God's wishes.

Why would he refuse to serve? Though it is not entirely clear why, a likely reason was because Nineveh was an Assyrian city. The Assyrians had oppressed Israel, so the idea of going to an enemy city to warn them of God's impending judgment likely was very upsetting.

Jonah wanted God to punish the city for what it had done to his people, but because of God's love and mercy, he was afraid God would spare them (see Jonah 4:1-2). It is human nature to avoid doing something good for our worst enemy. However, God sees everybody as sinners who need Him.

Imagine if God wanted you to go to Iran or another enemy of America and minister to them. It would be easy for us to resist just as it was for Jonah. However, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:44 to love our enemies.

Jonah attempted to flee on a boat, but God caused a great storm. In an attempt to appease God, the ship's passengers threw Jonah overboard, but God provided a fish to protect him from drowning. While in the fish, we see a different side of Jonah. In chapter one, he had been hard-hearted, rebellious, and upset at God. In chapter two, we see a more softhearted, teachable, and thankful person.

God's use of the storm should not be interpreted as an attempt by Him to harm Jonah. He wanted to teach Jonah obedience, and His use of the storm and fish helped achieve that. The peril Jonah faced was because of his sin.

If he had been obedient, he would not have been in this situation. Jonah recognized his mistakes, and his prayer in chapter two drips with contrition. In the same way when we sin, we must face the results they produce, but God wants to work with us so we can learn.

In chapter three, Jonah went to Nineveh and preached. His preaching produced results because the people repented, and God spared the city. On the surface, this conclusion seemed like the ultimate happy ending with the people turning toward God.

However, Jonah's reaction to this is a study in bitterness. Instead of being happy that the people repented, he was very unhappy. He could not get passed his own anger and pain. Jonah reminded God that his original reason for resisting was because He is merciful and would forgive them. Now God had done the very thing he feared, and it made him angry.

While Jonah's point of view may seem ridiculous, we need to be very careful before we sling arrows in his direction. How easy is it for us to harbor resentment, anger, and bitterness in our hearts when we have been wronged? It is extremely difficult to let go of the hurts we have.

We have to be very careful not to allow the pain and anger in our hearts to consume us when it comes to Godly matters. While we should have a righteous anger against sin, the Gospel needs revealing to everybody including people who may be our enemies. We can not let personal dislikes get in the way.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter four about the need to rid ourselves of anger. He wrote in verse 26: "In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." In verse 31 he wrote: "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every other form of malice."

Many times life can be frustrating. Many times life unfolds in ways we do not like. Many times life can break our hearts. However, the guidance God provides in those verses in Ephesians show how important it is to let go of anger and bitterness.

There comes a time when it is necessary to let go of the pain and hurt in our hearts.

Make this the time.

Who is Agur and why should I care?

Most people attribute the Book of Proverbs' authorship to Solomon, but he did not write the entire book. Others wrote the final two chapters. However, although the writers are different, the wisdom is no less insightful and is well worth consideration.

A man named Agur wrote the first nine verses of chapter thirty, but we do not know much about him. Scripture identifies him as the son of Jakeh, but that is about all historians know for sure. Some historians do not believe he was an Israelite.

Although we do not know much about him, these nine verses contain practical wisdom that we can all apply to our lives. This passage is most notable for his prayer for deliverance from economic extremes. However, there are other verses worth examining as well.

In verse two, we can immediately recognize that Agur was a humble and intelligent man. How do we know this? Because he immediately stated his lack of understanding and need for enlightenment from God. Usually, if a person is candid enough to admit the need for God's wisdom, it is a good indicator that he or she is truly intelligent.

In verse four, Agur asked a series of rhetorical questions that emphasized God's greatness, and that He is the source to which all people should turn for life's answers. Just as people today attempt to answer life's questions without His help, we need to follow Agur's advice and look for daily help from God. If we lean too heavily on our own knowledge, we risk being led astray.

In verses five and six, he emphasized that God is perfect, and He is available to us for comfort and guidance. Knowing that God is perfect helps us because it means He is completely dependable. Relationships with people may come and go in our lives, but He will always be there no matter what.

The passage's final three verses contain Agur's plea for protection. He wanted God to protect him from falsehoods and lies and the dull aching pain they can bring. He also wanted protection from poverty and riches.

Agur was obviously aware of the impact materialism can have on us. If he had too little, it would be tempting for him to steal to provide for himself, bringing dishonor to God. If he had too much, it might lead to arrogance in which he viewed himself as the source of his wealth and not God. In America, we certainly have problems when it comes to material wealth and the impact it has on us.

Though this passage is only nine verses in length, it resonates with themes that are still true today. The passage breaks down the complexity of our lives in ways that bring much needed simplicity. If for no other reason, these nine verses deserve our study.