The Cry for Mercy, 2 Samuel 12:13-15; Psalm 32

(We are beginning a series of 25 or so of what I call "odds and ends blogs."  They are on a variety of subjects.  We are hopeful these will benefit you in your walk with Christ.)

The Psalms are filled with cries for mercy (e.g. 123:3).  God delights in mercy but also will not clear the guilty (Exodus 34:6-7).  Let us point out the obvious.

·        The cry for mercy comes from those who desire to be changed, to repent of sin, not those who delight in sin.  In Psalm 123 it is a cry of those who are held in contempt by the wicked, not by the wicked who hold them in contempt.  The tax collector who pled for mercy confessed his sin; the Pharisee denied his pitiful situation (Luke 18:9-14).  The wicked in their pride see no need for mercy; mercy, confession, repentance and the meekness required to seek mercy are considered aspects of weakness to the proud.

·        David’s experience of forgiveness from the Lord might seem a bit easy, in a sense, when you read the story in 2 Samuel.  But the Psalms he wrote (e.g. 32, 51) that give us the rest of the story show that David not only experienced guilt (i.e. he confessed his sin) but desired never to do it again (repented).  His experience was miserable.  His guilt affected him physically (32:3, my bones grew old; 32:4, my vitality was turned into the drought of summer), continuously (32:3, all day long) and deeply (32:4, your hand was heavy upon me).  In other words, even when there is forgiveness there are consequences. 

·        David’s desire for mercy was not just a desire to be free of his misery.  Misery accompanies guilt.  Mercy forgives but as David’s case clearly illustrates, mercy does not bring to an end all the consequences.  What mercy did for David and for us is to bring the sinner back into fellowship with God.  Mercy provides a covering (32:1, atonement) so God no longer needs to keep in mind (count, consider, impute, 32:2) our sin.  God’s justice is satisfied.

·        David was not treated special because he was the King of Israel.  David’s prayer is the prayer that everyone who is godly shall pray to You (32:6.)  He who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him (32:10).  That is why David is able to instruct you and teach you in the way you should go (32:8).  His sin is terrible and some might question his integrity as a teacher.  But his teaching has to do with mercy, with not allowing sin to remain in the heart unconfessed.  Someone else can teach on resisting temptation and controlling lust.  But if you want to know about the mercy of God, David is your man! 

·        What is David’s teaching?  Don’t be like the wicked who are too proud to cry out for mercy.  Or to make it more clear: do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding (32:9).  Wallowing in guilt might make you feel good because you are suffering for your sins.  But that is not what blesses you or God.  Cry out for mercy.  God has, after all, already provided the totally sufficient covering for your sin in the cross of His Son Jesus Christ.

AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!