Realizing Our Need for Repentance

Lent: Realizing Our Need for Repentance

I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man after my own heart. (Ac 13:22)

⁵ David’s anger flared up against that man. He said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this is as good as dead. ⁶ In place of that lamb, he will restore four lambs, because he did this and had no pity. (2 Sa 12:5–6)

You are the man. (2 Sa 12:7b)

I have sinned against the LORD. (2 Sa 11:13b)

Nathan said to David, “The LORD himself has put away your sin. (2 Sa 11:13c)

Then David got up from the ground, washed, put on lotion, and changed his clothes. He went to the House of the LORD and worshipped. (2 Sa 12:20b)

Or do you have so little regard for his [God’s] rich kindness, his restraint, and his patience, that you ignore the fact that the purpose of God’s kindness is to lead you to repentance? (Ro 2:4)

1. We cannot ___________ _____ our sin.

For the choir director. A psalm by David.

When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.

2. We _________ entirely on God’s ___________.

¹ Be gracious to me, God, according to your mercy. Erase my acts of rebellion according to the greatness of your compassion. ² Scrub me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. (Ps 51:1–2)

A chiasm is a powerful literary device that emphasizes central ideas through a mirrored, symmetrical structure. It’s often used in biblical texts to highlight important themes or theological truths, drawing attention to the central message in a memorable way.

(A) Be gracious to me, God,

      (B) according to your mercy,

      (B) according to the greatness of your compassion,

(A) blot out my acts of rebellion.

(A) Increase, wash me from my guilt

(A) and [Increase, wash me] from my sin.

¹ Be gracious to me, God,

according to your mercy.

Erase my acts of rebellion

according to the greatness of your compassion.

² Scrub me clean from my guilt.

Purify me from my sin.

The word translated “sin” is חָטָא (ḥā·ṭā(ʾ)). It pictures sin as _______________ a target (Jdg 20:16) or going _____________ (Pr 19:2).

The word translated “guilt” is עָוֹן (ʿā·wōn). It describes sin as that which is twisted, bent, or perverse. It usually carries with it the connotation of “guilt.” Guilt is ___________________ to _____________________ because of _______.

The word translated “acts of rebellion” is פֶּשַׁע (pě·šǎʿ). It portrays sin as ____________________ or violation of a _________________________. It has a greater connotation of _______________________ than חָטָא (ḥā·ṭā(ʾ)).

¹⁶ For dogs have surrounded me. A band of evil men has encircled me. They have pierced my hands and my feet. ¹⁷ I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me. ¹⁸ They divide my garments among them. For my clothing they cast lots. (Ps 22:16–18)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. How does David's idle behavior in 2 Samuel 11:1-2 contribute to his fall into sin? Reflect on times in your own life when idleness may have led to temptation or poor decisions.
3. In 2 Samuel 12:1-7, Nathan uses a parable to confront David about his sin. Why do you think this approach was effective, and how can we learn to lovingly confront others about their sins in a way that leads to repentance?
4. David pleads for mercy "according to the greatness of your compassion." How does this reveal the nature of God's forgiveness, and in what ways have you experienced God's grace and mercy in your own life when you've fallen short?
5. How can we apply the concept of mercy from Psalm 51:1-2 in our daily lives?
6. As recipients of God's abundant grace and mercy, we should extend the same compassion to those around us. How do we do that? What does it look like?

Homework: Psalm 51