Scripture: Psalms 51:1—19
Title: “Making A Comeback”
Introduction: The book of Psalms was written by King David. This particular chapter was written as a result of David’s sin of “Adultery” with Bathsheba. In this Psalm David pleads for forgiveness and cleansing, confesses his guilt, prays for pardon and restoration, resolves to praise God, and prays for the continued prosperity of Jerusalem.
A year had passed between the SIN David committed and the writing of this Psalm.
I. A DESCRIPTION OF DAVID.
a. David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse.
b. He was ruddy (Reddish Hair & Reddish Complexion and handsome, with pleasant eyes.
c. David had been a courageous shepherd of the sheep. David addressed Saul as he was going out to fight Goliath, “And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.” (1 Sam. 17:34-35)
d. David was called out from keeping the sheep by the prophet Samuel and ANOINTED with Oil as a person to take the place of Saul the king.
e. David received the Holy Spirit when he was ANOINTED with OIL. “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.” (1 Sam. 16:13)
f. God made the statement referring to David, “ . . . a man after mine own heart, . . . ” (Acts13:22)
II. DAVID’S BACKSLIDING.
(What happened to David to get him into this shape?)
a. The winter was past and it was a good time to wage war. There were plenty of provisions for the troops and weather was good, but the King David decided to stay behind.
b. IDLENESS opens the door to all kinds of TEMPTATIONS. (How much better it would have been if he had gone with his troops to the battle!)
This is HOW “Sin” gets STARTED!
c. During David’s IDLENESS late one afternoon he was walking on the flat rooftop of his home and he SEES a NAKED woman bathing herself next door.
d. David’s carnal nature kicks into full force.
David continues to look at her beauty.
David chooses not to turn away.
David inquires as to what this woman’s name is and finds out she is also MARRIED. (She is the wife of URIAH)
e. BACKSLIDING is a “Slippery” slope. Once you start down that slope it is very difficult to “STOP!”
f. After David’s FIRST few decisions to do WRONG other BAD DECISIONS followed.
g. David had another man’s wife brought into his bedchamber and he committed “ADULTERY” with her. Then he sent her home.
III. DAVID’S SINS ACCUMULATE.
a. David gets the word that Bathsheba is pregnant. This begins a FRANTIC effort on David’s part to try to COVER up his sin.
b. Evil begats Evil – David brings Bathsheba’s husband back from the battle to get him to go into his wife so he can think the pregnancy is by him. (But Uriah refuses to do this because of his fellow soldiers still in battle and he will not permit this luxury for himself and spends the night on the doorstep)
c. After this scheme doesn’t work David gets Uriah DRUNK.
d. Then David has Bathsheba’s husband sent to the hottest place in the battle so he will be sure to be killed. (And sure enough Uriah gets killed and word comes to the King and he brings Bathsheba into his own home for his own wife.)
e. Let us not forget King David had a harem of wives and didn’t need another wife except to fulfill his LUST.
f. When the son is born it appears to everyone that the child was born in wedlock – Except for one thing – God knows all about this SIN.
g. This whole AFFAIR might have passed without public notice and have been quickly forgotten EXCEPT for one FACT: “the thing that David had done DISPLEASED the Lord.” (2 Sam. 11:27)
h. These TWO VILE SINS David committed didn’t seem to trouble his CONSCIENCE. (Do you suppose David thought he was so POWERFUL that he was ABOVE the Law?)
IV. DAVID’S SIN CATCHES UP WITH HIM.
a. Everything seems to be going David’s way – He has a new woman and a new son – The sun is shinning on David – The Murder of Uriah and the THEFT of Bathsheba seem to have been forgotten.
b. Then, about a year later God sends a prophet – Nathan the prophet shares a story with David concerning a poor man with only one lamb, which he loved dearly; a rich man with abounding wealth in flocks and herds; the ruthless disregard for this poor neighbor’s feeling and rights in taking the only lamb and killing it for his guest. (v. 1-4)
c. David’s reaction was quick and correct. His wrath was stirred, and he declared, “The man that hath done this thing shall surely die”
d. The prophet answered, “Thou are the man.” (How easy it is to give out PUNISHMENT for others and never realize we have SINNED too?)
e. The prophet continues, “God anointed you king of Israel, delivered you out of the hand of Saul, given you many wives, and would have even gone beyond that if it had not been enough, but you despised My commandments and done evil in My sight.”
f. Because of David’s sins of ADULTERY & MURDER God gives out JUDGMENT – The sword will never depart from you house – The son born by Bathsheba got sick and died – Even the sons of his own household turned against him and some were killed.
V. DAVID’S RENEWAL.
a. This severe JUDGMENT for sin finally broke through to David’s CONSCIENCE.
b. David knew he had done DAMAGE to his RELATIONSHIP with God. “Have mercy on me blot out my transgressions.” (Ps. 51:1)
c. When I came into the General Baptists in 1970 I became acquainted with a new term, “Renewing Up.”
This term applied to people who had been saved and had gotten back into sin.
The person came to the altar and prayed and asked God to forgive them and they rededicated their life to God and got back into church.
I had this experience in August 1970 and have been going to church ever since that time.
d. David requested God to:
Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Purify me from my sins.
Oh, give me back my joy again.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God - Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you.
CONCLUSION: Let us never forget, “David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22).”
David’s life was forever changed because of, The “Leftovers” of sin. (2 Sam. 12:10)
Is there some place where God could bring renewal in your life?
I want each of you to know today, there’s more to your relationship with God than what you have right now. (Eph. 3:20) “Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.”
What does a Christian do about SIN in their life?
David knew he had done damage to his relationship with God. “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.”
The “Consciousness” of that Holy Presence. This is what makes us know that God is still with us.
The Holy Spirit is our “Heaven” here in this life.
When we “Lose” that power we become “weak as other men,” as in Samson’s experience.
Make the Holy Spirit more than an occasional “Guest” make Him the Host of your life. (Lord)
When is the time for a renewal of a right spirit?
Do you need an INWARD work as David did? “Renew” – once it had been there!
