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David's Sin

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 15, 1870

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 22.

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David's Sin.

By Adolphus Smith

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.” Ps. 51: 2, 3.
Such was the pathetic language of David, uttered when under deep conviction of sin in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. He had been guilty of the double crime of adultery and murder; and not only so, but his example, in all succeeding generations, has given occasion for the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. Although his language is expressive of deep sorrow and sincere repentance, yet it is inspired with strong, abiding faith. The prayer for mercy is mingled with hearty and humble confession of sin, until he seems to pour his whole soul into the language of the fourteenth verse: “Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.”
Did David find the mercy, and obtain the pardon, that he sought? His subsequent humble life, and the testimonies of the Spirit of God concerning him, give an affirmative reply.
Has David's dark sin given occasion for the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme? His deep humiliation and hearty repentance, and the consequent mercy of God, may also afford encouragement; yea, may inspire with strong confidence, not only those who are guilty of adultery, or murder, but also every sin save that against the Holy Ghost.
The language of David in the seventeenth verse, is as truthful now, as when uttered in Jerusalem nearly three thousand years ago. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Are any who read these lines, guilty of like sins?
“Do foul misdeeds of former times Sling with remorse thy guilty breast, And ghosts of unforgiven crimes Murder thy rest?”
Follow David's example of humiliation and repentance, and pardon will be as certain in your case as it was in his. Suppress the thought that your sin is of too deep a dye to be washed away. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1: 18.
Do you believe the word of the Lord? Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Are you a sinner? Then Jesus came to save you. Hear his words: “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” His word is pledged, to give your burdened soul relief. Salvation is within your reach. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
O how tenderly those whose duty it is, should deal with the erring and wandering ones. If we cannot go to them in a spirit that would, if need be, encircle them in our arms, as a father would embrace and entreat a wandering son, we are in no mood to administer salutary reproof or advice. Witness the spirit of Jesus as he wept over Jerusalem; yet Jesus knew when to reprove, and how. We must possess his spirit, or there is danger of our doing harm.
As those who are very sick will receive the attentions of certain ones to the exclusion of all others, so those who have wandered far from God may be helped by some, while others would drive them further from Christ.
“Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.”
ADOLPHUS SMITH.