Repentance

2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51

I was excited to write a devotional for this Plan. God has worked miracles in my life; he’s kept promises; he’s brought abundant blessings. And I deserved none of it. So of course I have many personal stories of God’s work and presence in my life. But then I was sent a list of chapters and passages to choose from and I began to read. 

My first thoughts were, “Are you kidding me???” These are chapters filled with rape, incest, war, murder, adultery, fratricide, deception, cruelty and more. How do I relate something in my life to the mess of David’s? 

Well, I may have never experienced any of the evils present in David’s lifetime, but they all still exist. So how does David’s story become relevant to me? We may not all sin in the same way but we all have the same sinful heart! And this is where I’m just like David. I’ve sinned, oh so many times and in so many ways, but there is forgiveness and grace for all of us that repent. All of us! “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ” (Romans 3:23-24) We know that David was a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 13:14) David stands out because he is faced with his sins and yet immediately repents and begs for forgiveness. Repentance is always an invitation back home to the party of Grace. 

Lord Jesus, help me to remember that repentance is always a gateway to Your joy. Amen. 

Family Connection: King David was a man after God’s own heart yet he was a sinner. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God but God can still use us. This week talk as a family about the choices you make each day. What are choices we can make that are pleasing to God?