Lent: Words of Repentance
Let me hear joy and gladness. Let the bones you have crushed celebrate. (Ps 51:8)
You are the man. (2 Sam 12:7a)
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.” (2 Sa 12:5)
Hide your face from my sins. Erase all my guilty deeds. (Ps 51:9)
How long will you hide your face from me? (Ps 13:1b)
Do not hide your face from me. (Ps 27:9a)
6 The Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and overflowing with mercy and truth, 7 maintaining mercy for thousands, forgiving guilt and rebellion and sin” (Ex 34:6–7a)
[God] wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Ti 2:4)
Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew an unwavering spirit within me. (Ps 51:10)
… בָּרָא is used in the Old Testament only for divine creative activity. God is exclusively the subject. It always expresses the idea of producing something new and extraordinary, something epoch-making.
Do not cast me from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from me. (Ps 51:11)
1 Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you to be king over his people Israel. Therefore, listen to the voice of the Lord. 2 This is what the Lord of Armies says. I will repay Amalek for what they did to Israel when they blocked Israel’s way as it was coming up out of Egypt. 3 Go and strike Amalek. Devote everything they have to destruction. Do not spare them. Kill both men and women, infants and nursing babies, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.” (1 Sa 15:1–3)
You are blessed by the Lord! I have carried out the word of the Lord. (1 Sa 15:13)
The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. (1 Sa 16:14)
Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Sustain me with a willing spirit. (Ps 51:12)
I will teach rebels your ways, and sinners will turn to you. (Ps 51:13)
The Five C’s of Repentance:
_____________________—_________________ sorrow over sin which includes _________ of God's judgment
_______________________—_______________ God what you _______ to violate his commands
_____________________—___________ in God's promise to _______________ you for Jesus' sake
_____________________—_______ to fix what you ___________________ by your sin
_____________—_________ with God's help to try and never _____________ this sin
Points to Ponder
- What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
- What do you think David means by "bones that you have crushed" (v8)? How have you experienced restoration and joy after confession and repentance?
- What does it mean to have a "pure heart" before God? Why do we need God to create this within us rather than trying to fix ourselves?
- What does this verse 11 reveal about David's relationship with God? How does the Holy Spirit play a role in our repentance and renewal today?
- Have you ever lost the joy of your salvation? What brought it back? What are some ways we can maintain the joy of our salvation daily?
- How does experiencing God's mercy make us more eager to share it with others? Who in your life needs to hear about God’s grace and forgiveness?
Homework: Psalm 51
