v 13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.
The whole sorry tale of David’s adultery with Bathsheba is well-known, and we feel for the Prophet Nathan who had to confront David with the consequences of it. Nathan’s approach to David using a parable proved effective in stirring David’s conscience and leading him to repentance.
In God’s providence, conscience can be a powerful motivator in dealing with our sin, pushing us towards repentance and forgiveness. In yesterday’s reading we noted how Reuben lived with a bad conscience for many years before the whole issue of Joseph’s disappearance was resolved. For David, resolution came more quickly during Bathsheba’s pregnancy. His repentance was genuine, and if you have an opportunity today read David’s reaction in Psalm 51, note how the whole matter weighed heavily on his conscience.
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
If you still feel guilty about anything in your past, if it still haunts you day and night, as it did with David, then appreciate that God’s loving forgiveness covers it and your conscience can be cleansed.
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