Over the first couple of weeks in our series on prayer, we have focused on the importance of developing our ability to listen and hear God’s voice through the many ways in which He communicates with us through Scripture, a small still voice, nature, worship, art, other people, our thoughts and many other ways.

This morning, I want to focus on an important aspect of prayer: confession and repentance – Jesus, in Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 references the importance of confession: “Forgive us our debts (trespasses)…” – of course, Jesus is modeling prayer at a high level, not getting specific - In Psalm 51, David gives us master class on what a prayer of repentance should look like – Confession and repentance misunderstood words in church – often understand them as saying “sorry” – Not even close to complete – Confession is coming into agreement about way things are – simply put, telling the truth about a situation – Repentance is thinking in a new way about the situation – developing a new train of thought – a renewing of the mind.

Psalm 51 has specific historical origin – look at very beginning – before we jump into Psalm, make sure we know this important Biblical account – 2 Samuel 11:1-5 – “When kings go off to war…” – David wasn’t where he was supposed to be – beginning of every sin story – sees Bathsheba, summons her, sleeps with her, gets her pregnant - So David tries to cover sin and sends for Uriah to return from war, and gets him drunk so he’ll sleep with his wife, but he refuses – so, sends him to the front lines to be killed, and once dead and after time of mourning, marries Bathsheba – massive understatement: V27 – “but the thing David had done displeased the Lord.”

God sends Nathan to rebuke David by telling him parable – David is furious by parable and Nathan reveals to David, ““You are the man!” and asks, “Why have you despised the word of the Lord?” David breaks and confesses, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Then Nathan says, astonishingly, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die” (2 Samuel 12:7–15).

Then Nathan says curious thing – “The Lord has put away your sin” (2 Samuel 12:13) The same God that removed Saul from leadership for disobedience and lying allows David to remain in power – why? Has to do with the pliability of David’s heart – let’s look at how David responded to God’s chastisement

PSALM 51

V1 – “Have mercy…” what is mercy? Not getting what you deserve – withholding wrath or judgment – why? Because of God’s unfailing love – the Hebrew word here is “hesed”, which is related to God’s covenant with his people – it is a picture of sacrificial love, similar to the Greek word agape, but more specific to the covenant God made with Israel – This is foundation of David’s prayer – “Because you have made covenant, because you love me in spite of my failure…” – was he guilty? YES. (Guilt not feeling –FACT) – but I love that the first place he goes is here: “I KNOW YOU LOVE ME” -

Here is where the Holy Spirit comes into play – He is always reminding us of the way of Jesus – so, when you feel convicted that something in your life is not right, he is simply lovingly nudging you toward Jesus – It is the most loving thing he can do, draw you back into fellowship

“blot out my transgressions…” – erase my sin, take it from me – 1 John 1:9

V2 – desperate to be clean – word “thoroughly” is more than just a rinse – this is a washing, kneading, wringing -

V3 – David has been wracked with guilt, shame and fear, suppressing the truth – every day, Bathsheba, now wife, in palace, reminder of his sin – didn’t say, “my punishment or consequences are before me”, but “MY SIN” – Ownership – many grieve consequences, but rarely sin itself.

V4 – So important to note – our sin is ALWAYS against God – people may suffer consequences (Uriah and Bathsheba did), but ultimately against God – this is key to confession – coming into agreement that our sin breaks heart of God – most of time, we worry about its effect on us and/or those around us, but SIN ALWAYS HURTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD –

In 2010 – I made huge mistake  and sought wise counsel from friend – seeking to justify what I had done – My friend said to me tearfully, “Greg, you have sinned against God” – it wrecked me – I had hurt others close to me, but ultimately I had hurt God.

V5 – This is picture of Original sin and inherited sin passed down from Adam in garden – He was born with the infection of sin.

V6 – God delights in the truth – “wisdom in the secret heart” – every secret, every thought, every motive, laid bare before God – confession brings FREEDOM – when we come into the light, we are freeing a prisoner – The enemy loves to keep us in secrets – living in darkness keeps us from truth and freedom – beauty of “unfailing love” and mercy of God – he loves showing love, forgiveness and mercy – all about exposing darkness to the TRUTH.

V7 – This is a picture of blood sacrifice – hyssop was branch used to sprinkle blood over someone to cover sin and purify – Hebrews 9:22 – Ultimately, picture of Jesus – his blood washing over us, covering all sin for all time.

V8 – Picture of restoration – “I know there is goodness on the other side of this” – If you believe God is good, you will trust his consequence is for your good.

V10 – “Create” – this is something new – David not asking simply to clean him up, but make him NEW – picture of salvation – 2 Cor. 5:17 - “renew” – picture of repentance – Romans 12:2 – make my spirit new, renew my mind.

V11-12 – Please don’t abandon me, instead restore me, hold me up until I can walk on my own – “I’m willing to walk through whatever consequences you give me – I just NEED YOU” – this is key to repentance – not conditional or deal making – “God, I’m sorry, but if you’ll get me out of this, I’ll do X” - When goal is freedom, you’ll do whatever necessary to be in presence of God, so he can transform you

I've told you about my transformation – which started when God said to me, “It’s just you and me” – I cared more about him than my reputation, career, marriage, ANYTHING – “God, against you I have sinned” – change me, make me like you – image management will keep you from experiencing freedom God wants to give you – justifying “good enough”, but God delights in the TRUTH about the way things are.

V13 - the example of a changed life is changed lives – so rare in our culture – no word-smithing and spin doctoring – thank you for your discipline – I will use this situation to bring you glory.

V16-17 – again, God not interested in deal making, sacrifice, etc. – God wants a broken heart – contrite spirit - “It’s not about me, my reputation, but all about you – God, you are the hero of my story – take my life and make it into something you can use

Close:

1. Confession and repentance are important daily practices in the life of a believer. God loves when you come into agreement with him about your sin, and determine to walk in a new way. Important to keep short account with God, because it can keep you from recognizing his voice. Want to keep the lines of communication open

2. Confession begins with un understanding of God’s unfailing love. Because God loves me, I don’t want anything to come between us.

3. God’s goal is always freedom. God wants to set you free – guilt, shame, fear of being found out – he delights in truth – confession brings it all into light – begins process of healing – James 5:16