As I thought about that this morning, I recalled the many times the Bible recounts those instances in David's life: God saved him in times of war and betrayal, forgave him when he sinned so greatly in the story of Bathsheba, blessed him as king and in the promise of the Messiah, and so many more stories. He knew God's presence in his life. He knew God's love and mercy and forgiveness. As flawed as he was, he was a man after God's own heart. His life experiences drew him closer to the Lord and gave him a deep knowing about the nature of God's mercy.
As believers on "this side" of the cross, we are taught about God's mercies - about justification by faith. We hear the words preached, we read the words in the scriptures, we study the words in Bible studies. But do we really know what they mean? Have we, like David, taken the step beyond head knowledge and allowed our life's experiences to show us the truth of the Word?
Have we experienced forgiveness? Don't answer that question too quickly - stop and think for a moment. What does it feel like to know - really know - that the guilt you've held on to for so long is literally gone? You feel the difference, the lightness, the freedom. You know you are loved beyond all measure because you've experienced that love in a profound and life-changing way. David knew God was trustworthy because he had seen his salvation and deliverance from danger, experienced his forgiveness, and understood the mercies of God because he saw it in his own life. Can we say the same thing?
If not, don't feel that you've somehow been overlooked by God. Spend some quiet time alone with the Lord. If you have doubts or questions, offer them to the Lord. He already knows about them anyway. It's amazing how freeing this can be. Tell him your fears or sins or doubts and ask him to speak his forgiveness, his love and his promises to your heart. Ask him to open your heart to receive and know his presence. Then wait and watch. God is faithful and trustworthy. Those are not just lofty words and promises - they're the reality of who he is. I know he will answer your prayer.
Psalm 86:1-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
A Prayer of David.
Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am
poor and distressed, needy and desiring. Preserve my life, for I am godly and dedicated; O my
God, save Your servant, for I trust in You [leaning and believing on You,
committing all and confidently looking to You, without fear or doubt]. Be merciful and gracious to me, O Lord, for to You do
I cry all the day. Make me, Your servant, to rejoice, O Lord, for to You
do I lift myself up. For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our
trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You
are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and listen to the cry
of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You
will answer me.
