Patriarchs & Prophets: Audio & Pull Quotes- Chapter 71

 David's Sin and Repentance

Audio:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Qn7DsGHlCA?list=PL4ByrircmXL6VuLmlYnLfeCfCukv68cCu

The Bible has little to say in praise of men. Little space is given to recounting the virtues of even the best men who have ever lived. This silence is not without purpose; it is not without a

lesson....whatever diverts the mind from God, whatever leads to self-exaltation or to self-dependence, is surely preparing the way for our overthrow. The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.
It was the spirit of self-confidence and self-exaltation that prepared the way for David's fall. Flattery and the subtle allurements of power and luxury were not without effect upon him. Intercourse with surrounding nations also exerted an influence for evil.
The work of the enemy is not abrupt; it is not, at the outset, sudden and startling; it is a secret undermining of the strongholds of principle.
Many have murmured at what they called God's injustice in sparing David, whose guilt was so great, after having rejected Saul for what appear to them to be far less flagrant sins.
*But David humbled himself and confessed his sin,
*while Saul despised reproof and hardened his heart in impenitence.
This passage in David's history is full of significance to the repenting sinner. It is one of the most forcible illustrations given us of the struggles and temptations of humanity, and of genuine repentance toward God...Through all the ages it has proved a source of encouragement to souls that, having fallen into sin, were struggling under the burden of their guilt.

Create in me a clean heart, O God;
And renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
                                                    Psalm 51:10,11,17