Adopting David’s Attitude

Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer, it does not rise from deceitful lips.

Psalm 17:1 (NIV)

A prayer can be profound and deeply emotional without necessarily being sincere. And even if it is sincere, does it spring from an upright heart? Considering David’s situation, one might wonder how a man like him could declare before God that his plea was just and that his lips held no deceit. You might ask yourself: if he could display such confidence despite his sin, why couldn't you do the same—you, who have not committed that particular transgression?

Although David’s sin displeased God enough to prompt Him to send the prophet Nathan to reveal the consequences of his actions, David’s humility and immediate confession earned him divine grace and forgiveness. When David turned to God for help in his situation, he knew that God had already cleansed and justified him. Through the love God showed him even while rebuking him, David understood that he needed to live a life after God’s own heart to avoid falling back into sin.

You and I have been justified in Christ, who took our sins upon Himself through His death. This is what allows us to enter God’s presence and present our requests to Him. However, if your heart is not in harmony with His Word and sin remains a part of your daily life, you cannot adopt David’s attitude—asserting that your plea is just—even if you pray with great emotion and sincerity. You will inevitably feel that your situation is the consequence of your sin, and you will spend more time asking for forgiveness than enjoying God’s presence. Learn to follow David’s example.

May the grace and peace of God be with you.