Here is the devotional:
King David was an interesting character in the Old Testament. He was quite a combination of humility and compromise, courage and devious cunning, praising and warring. David, the shepherd boy turned king, was one of the most inspirational leaders and yet one of the most sinful.
Just imagine for a moment the lust that drove him to steal another man’s wife and expose the husband to a sure death at the front of a military attack. In other words, he deceitfully had him killed so he could steal the man’s wife. Wow! That’s deplorable. But I’ve sinned before, too…gratefully, there’s lots of hope for us. The Bible even says God considered David the apple of His eye: “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings” (Psalms 17:8, NKJV).
Why did God excuse such horrendous behavior? It’s pretty simple: David asked for forgiveness, and God forgave him. “When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.” (Psalms 65:3, NIV)
I used to be crippled by guilt from my past. I wasn’t a choir boy in my youth, but I heard about the grace of God. I needed that grace to wash away my guilt. Ephesians 2:8 can become the foundation for people like David; Paul Marc; and you, too. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8, NIV)
David had enough sense to pray this prayer: “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalms 51:2) I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve failed in a million ways, but I’ve made it a point to ask God to do five things:
1. Forgive me for all my sins and mistakes.
2. Cleanse me of all defilement.
3. Heal me of all the trauma and damage in my life.
4. Help me reconcile with those I may have hurt.
5. Ask others to forgive me.
You don’t need to be perfect to be the apple of God’s eye…only honest. You can do it because you are a miracle.
Here are the scriptures referenced:
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Psalm 17:8 KJV
Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
Psalm 65:3 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:8 KJV
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:2 KJV
Here are Stu’s thoughts:
The shed blood of Jesus, that has the power to wash us clean, is available to everyone!
Just like the author…I was no choir boy growing up. I did some crazy stupid crap. Some by mistake but I’ll be honest a lot of it was intentional.
Just like David did by intentionally putting that man on the front line in battle with the intent to have him killed, I did some bad things knowing they were wrong. We all have to some degree or another.
For years I considered myself the worse of the worse. And that was AFTER becoming a Christian! I was bad!
Yes, there are people who have done things I wouldn’t imagine doing but when you allow God via the Holy Spirit into the depths of your heart you come to realize just how sinful we really are.
ALL have sinned!
But allow me to repeat my first statement…
The shed blood of Jesus, that has the power to wash us clean, is available to everyone!
Thanks be to God we have a redeemer. And because of that we CAN go to God and ask for forgiveness for ALL of our wrongs.
As one draws closer to God one becomes more aware of their wrongs.
If you do not know Jesus reach out to me via an email to stubaby777@gmail.com. I will be more than happy to share him with you so that you too can be forgiven!
What a beautiful word….forgiveness🎉 Great Post🎉
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That it is Deb! That it is😊
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Good devotional, Stu and good advice. I have brothers who have not spoken in several years. I have tried to get them together but nothing moving on their part. It’s going to take God!
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Thank you Vickie. That’s a real shame about your brothers 😢. I’ll be praying for them !
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I appreciate your prayers, Stu.
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Forgiveness! It is so much needed all around; and one of the hardest things to give (and sometimes, to receive).
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Totally agree!
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Amen.
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