Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:10-11 (NKJV)
When Adam realized that he had sinned, that what he had done was contrary to what God had commanded him not to do, he hid from God. He chose to flee from the presence of the only person he had ever known in his life, God. Eve came only after God spent time with him in the garden and told him everything he would have to do for Him and with Him.
However, David did not have the same reaction when the prophet confronted him with his sin. He could act like Adam and flee from God, thinking that God could kill him for his misdeeds: adultery, lies, manipulation, murder. David instead understood that it was not God who was a terrible judge to be feared, but that it was his heart that was at fault, however uncomfortable it was to accept. The story revealed to him a God who was compassionate, loving, and faithful to His promises.
Instead of complaining and blaming Bathsheba for exposing her body to the open air, as Adam had blamed Eve for pushing him to eat the fruit, David acknowledged his sin and asked God to create a clean heart in him, to renew his mind, and not to stray from Him. To run away from God because of your sins is to believe that you are righteous in His eyes, but that you have failed by mistake. God sees you as you are, that is why He will welcome you with all your weaknesses and failures more than you can imagine. Like David, come into His presence to ask for forgiveness.
May the grace and peace of God be with you all.
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