“For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.” Psalms 51:3-4 NLT
David’s recorded repentance is an absolute model of transparency and accountability in a leader’s life. Sure, he had been caught and his judgment had also been recorded and carried out by God and God’s spokesperson, Nathan.
The judgment was quick and severe. You can read about it in 2 Samuel 12. Nathan lays out the charge: “you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife.“ Nathan also tells David, “You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” God had told David, I gave you EVERYTHING and if that had not been enough, I would have given you MORE!
David’s sin, quick trial by God himself and his pronounced judgment lays out how God is faithful and just to deal with sin and deal with a leader who thinks they can do anything they want and get away with it. God’s quick justice was a display of his deep love for David and for any future lives David’s unprecedented power would have destroyed.
Here in this psalm is David’s response. David owns his decisions, his sin and receives the judgment understanding what many leaders try to avoid – “your judgment against me is just!” David’s sin, his “rebellion” as he admits is exactly what happens when we get everything we want, yet want MORE.
We become seduced into thinking we deserve it, can get it and most of all – NOT get caught. All of this is a LIE. There is never a scenario where we “deserve” what a moral and deplorable act of power over another, or seeing and stealing whatever we want is justified! Even if we manipulate and manage to “get” it – that person, that position, that power, it is never right. And, even if NO ONE is watching, no one seemingly has seen us and we delusionally believe we got away with it – it is still wrong and the one true God of all justice SEES it and will judge it. There is no way ANYONE gets away with it.
The Bible just gives us this story to confront our own sin, but also to let us know that no one gets away with it. Judgment and justice may be slow because we are unaware of the trial and sentencing by God, but it is as sure as God’s name and nature. And, (this is hard to believe but true) God does it better, more thoroughly than we can even understand. In this sense, it doesn’t matter if a tyrant or con escapes or avoids a judge, court or trial judgment, NO ONE escapes God’s justice – ever! This is why God tells us “vengeance is mine.” – Romans 12:19.
PRAYER:
Dad,
Knowing that I want judgment on other’s evil but mercy for myself, David’s repentance gives me a sober hope. One that I always come clean before you and two, that I can leave the deep hurt and grief of injustice to you. You alone are capable of carrying out justice. Our courts and trials, juries and judges can’t possibly do as good a job as you!