Conviction

I definitely appreciate David’s response to being confronted with his sin. Nathan tells a parable of rich man and a poor man. The rich man takes the poor man’s only sheep and uses it to prepare a meal for a traveler. After the story David burns with anger. To me this is how God responds when I sin. David says “Surely the rich man deserves to be put to death.” I wonder what David felt in his heart when Nathan said “You are that man.” What do you think should be the punishment for his sin? David has to go through the death of his son, and more to come. God also tells him that his wives will be given to someone close to him and what he did in secret will be done in plain daylight.  David then confesses that he has sinned against God. Has there been a time in your life when you were confronted with something that you did wrong and you got defensive or blamed something else? It’s too bad that the reading from Psalm today wasn’t Psalm 51 because it shows how David pours out his heart to God and asked for forgiveness.  My favorite verse today is 17: My sacrifice, O God, is a broken and contrite heart that you will not despise.

The New Testament reading parallels the Old Testament reading by Jesus describing how the Holy Spirit will convict. Just like Nathan convicted David, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth and he will convict the world of their guilt.

Is there something that you have been hiding? 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins.

My prayer today is that God will give me a heart that is quick to confess and reject sin the sin in my life. Help me to hear when I have done wrong and give me the strength to make it right.