He was a man after God’s own heart.
David was a murderer and an adulterer. His life’s resume included both the lowly role of shepherd and the exalted role of Israel’s king. His life was full of highs and lows. He knew what is was to be loved by people and what it was like to hide in a cave wondering what the future held. He was the gifted writer of many psalms and also a grievous sinner.
How did God view David’s life in the sum total of it? He decided David was a man after his own heart (Acts 13:22). He loved David dearly.
When God sent Nathan to confront David after he was with a married woman and then had her husband killed, David confessed. He wisely and sincerely realized he “had sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). God saw his repentant heart and forgave his sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).
This gives us hope as well. God’s love for you is unconditional. There’s nothing you can do to make him love you more, and your mistakes don’t make him love you less. Most likely you haven’t done anything like David did in his weakest moments. No matter what your failings are, God’s love for you is unfailing. You can come boldly to him today—no matter how you’re falling short—and have confidence in his loving forgiveness.
Let’s pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus to die on the cross and be resurrected to new life as the ultimate sacrifice of love for us. Thank you for the forgiveness you offer so freely when I confess my shortcomings to you. Search my heart and show me if there’s anything in the way of receiving your unconditional love today. As I bring those things to you with a repentant heart, I push delete on any lingering feelings of shame or guilt. Thank you for seeing my heart, for not holding my mistakes against me, and for your mercies that are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.