What is your attitude after being convicted of your sin? Are you truly sorry, or are you only sorry because you got caught? Do you find yourself trying to cover up and, as a result, your actions only resulted in committing even more sins? Or, do you rebel?
King David is a great illustration. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and learning that she had conceived, he pulled her husband Uriah out of battle, tried to get him drunk, and when all else failed, plotted Uriah's death.
In Psalm 51, God used the prophet Nathan to condemn King David of his sins. David clearly knew the magnitude of what he had done, and fell on his face as he asked God for forgiveness. This book (Psalm 51) is the perfect example of a true prayer of repentance.
King David knew that God was not interested in sacrifice or peace offering, even if it came from the king! God clearly does not need our money or possessions or even good works ("sacrifices of righteousness"). All these offerings don't count unless we first come to Him with "a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart". Then and only then can we truly please Him with our offerings that give praise and glory to His name.
As imperfect human beings, we sin on a daily basis. Only a hypocrite will deny this! King David's sin may sound immensely great to us, but every sin is equal in God's eyes. Therefore, we must come to God in repentance in the same fashion with a humble and teachable heart. Today in church, as you put money in the offering basket, do you think it will count? Check your heart, first. Check your motives. Is your heart right with God? If not, read and apply the principles and truths found in Psalm 51.
Verses 16 - 19 state: "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar."
Obviously, YOU are more important to God than anything else. He wants our obedience vs. our sacrifice. He wants our heart.
In the end, God still blessed King David because he decided to first offer his heart to God, in repentance. In contrast, King Saul did the opposite, and the Bible clearly points out that the results were also the opposite.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 states: "Samuel said, Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."
Chapter 15 ended with very painful words upon King Saul's death: "And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel."
The first two kings in the Bible undoubtedly committed horrible sins, but both are remembered very differently. David was known as a "man after God's own heart", while Saul was known to be a king God regretted. How do you want to be remembered?
