A Study of David- What is Repentance?

Adultery is certainly a serious offense.  In an attempt to conceal Bathsheba's pregnancy David brings her husband home from battle and encourages him to go home to his wife.  Uriah proves to be more honorable than David refusing the comforts of home and wife while fellow soldiers are out fighting. With cover-up plans failed David resorts to murder.  Uriah is killed and David, the man after God's own heart, has sunk to the lowest point in his life by the time we come to 2 Samuel chapter 11.  Chapter 12 finds Nathan the prophet confronting David and convicting him through parable.  There are two choices at hand- repent or continue down the same path.

One of the things that distinguishes David from Saul is the act of repenting.  Saul never seemed to learn from his mistakes.  Moreover, Saul sought solutions through his own means, mediums, almost anywhere but God.  David confesses his sin to God and then pleads for forgiveness in Psalm 51.  In this Psalm David begs God not to remove the Holy Spirit from him (remember He had removed His Spirit from Saul and gave It to David).  Also, David realizes that his relationship with God must be restored before anything else moves forward.  David's sin is against God the definer of right and wrong. 

So, what is repentance?  In this example it is admitting sin, pleading with God, and restoring your relationship with God.  It is a course change.  David's life subtly changed course until we found the shepherd boy lost in the king's palace.  A small change of direction (over time) results in being way off course.  David is drastically brining his life back on track.  Repentance is not a subtle or quiet action.  It is a loud outcry.  Read Psalm 51 and consider the drastic language that David uses.  Consider the emotions of fear, desperation, and longing involved in this Psalm.  Yes, David has reached his lowest point in the adultery and murder resulting in this Psalm.  Yet, there is hope.  In Psalm 51 verse 17 David says, O God, you will not despise."  God will be pleased with David's offering of a "broken spirit" and a "contrite heart."  God delights in such things because it means the person who is far off course is getting back on track.  I end this series by asking you to read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.  I will make it even easier for you... just click here .  This story is a reminder that, to be a person after God's own heart, you just need a desire to be home again from wherever you are.