In Psalm 51, King David wrote a song of lament right after he got caught doing something awful:
“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. … I sinned and [have] done what is evil in your sight” (Psalms 51:3-4).
And he wasn’t blowing it out of proportion. David slept with another man’s wife, and when she got pregnant, had the man killed so David could fool everyone into thinking he didn’t sleep with her until after her husband’s death. Yeah, that’s pretty bad.
Here David is, the king supposedly “after God’s own heart,” and he’s guilty of adultery, murder, and lying. No matter what you’ve done, it’s tough to top that one.
But the encouraging news is that no matter what you’ve done, like David, there’s hope for you, too. God still loves you, longs to forgive you, and wants to help you start over.
In this same song, David affirms no matter what you’ve done, God can help you start anew, and His plans for your life haven’t been “cancelled” by your wrongdoing:
“Wash me, and I shall by whiter that snow. Let me hear joy and gladness. … Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation. … Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. … O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise” (Psalms 51:7-13, 15).
No matter what you’ve done, there is new life in God’s forgiveness. There is revival enough for you, no matter what you’ve done.
by Drew Zahn