International Sunday School Lesson October 6, 2024
Background
This is the psalm David wrote after his great sin. David didn’t go to battle with his army. He stayed in Jerusalem. He saw Bathsheba, the wife of his loyal solder Uriah, from the rooftop of his palace. He lusted after her and required her to come to the palace. He had sex with her. She became pregnant with her husband away at war. David made plans to cover his sins. He called Uriah back from the battlefield. He expected Uriah to go home with his wife. Uriah refused to stay in his home because his men were still in the battlefield. David then plots to have Uriah killed. He sends Uriah back to the front with sealed orders to place him on the front lines and everyone retreat and leave Uriah exposed. The plan worked and David murdered Uriah with his own loyalty. Then God sent Nathan to confront David and David repented.
Wash Me
Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV) 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
David desired to have his sins blotted out. He was feeling the guilt and shame of his actions. David didn’t try to hide his sin. He wasn’t trying to pretend that it didn’t happen. He only wanted cleaned.
My Sin
Psalm 51:3-4 (ESV) 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment
David understood that he sinned. It is true that David wronged Uriah and Bathsheba. But, his sin was against God. It was God’s laws that he broke.
Cast Me Not Away
Psalm 51:10-11 (ESV) 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
David asked God to create a new heart in him. David was looking forward to the new birth.
The Joy
Psalm 51:12 (ESV) 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit
If we fall away from God then we can be restored. Our joy can be restored if we seek God. God wants us to be in fellowship with Him. That does not mean all the consequences are undone. David got his joy back. But Uriah was still dead. David’s son born from his sin died. That child was still dead. We can be restored but there may still be consequences that we face.
Praise
Psalm 51:15-16 (ESV) 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
You can’t buy off God . There have been groups that have tried to monetize forgiveness. Those have always been lies. You can’t buy forgiveness. Honest repentance is the way to forgiveness. It is the blood of Jesus that washes away our sins. Not money.
Repentance
Psalm 51:17 (ESV) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Heartfelt repentance is the way back to God.
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