Real Hope: Discovering Hope in the Life of DavidExemple

## David’s Great Sin And God’s Great Mercy When David takes Bathsheba and kills her husband Uriah, he sins, and the Lord is not silent or indifferent to the sin. After Nathan confronts David, David says, ‘I have sinned against the Lord’ (2 Samuel 12:13). No excuses, no shifting blame. Our sin hurts others but the One to whom all our sins are ultimately directed is God. Nathan then speaks the forgiveness of God: ‘The LORD has put away your sin; you shall not die’ (2 Samuel 12:13). David’s true repentance is matched by the Lord’s forgiveness. Consequences can only last for a lifetime, but forgiveness is eternal. David’s example shows us not to take for granted the magnificent truth of God’s kindness and mercy. Psalm 51 reveals just how deep David’s repentance was. 'Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 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’ (Psalm 51:10–12 NIV). #### Written by Heidi Wysman