Show Me Your Grace, Lord

David’s life was filled with mistakes that were greater in number and cost than Saul’s. In spite of this, He was called a man after God’s heart. He was allowed to worship in the holy place. He was given revelation. He was promised that Messiah would be one of his descendants. His throne would be the throne on which the King of Heaven would reign.

Saul, on the other hand, was deprived of further right to rule, was sent a tormenting demon, and died in fear and shame. What was really different?

I suggest that Saul always, after denying any wrongdoing, when pressed, found an excuse or a scapegoat to blame his mistakes on. David, when confronted with his failures, fell on his knees or his face and asked his God for mercy and forgiveness for his sin.

Finding someone on whom to blame our foolishness is foolish. Taking responsibility, even taking a fall for someone else’s mistakes on days, will bring us advancement in the Kingdom. Who failed is not as important as who will teach us how to improve and do better.

Psalm 51 is recorded as David’s response to finally having been confronted regarding his sin with Bathsheba and the mistakes he followed that sin with. “Create in me a clean heart. Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. You teach me wisdom. Save me from guilt. All my sin is against You, Lord. Show me grace, Lord.”