Psalm 51:1-19
He had nine hundred iron chariots and made life unbearable for the Israelis for twenty years. But finally they begged the Lord for help (Judges 4:3, The Living Bible).

Knowing God as the God of our salvation and redeemer is an amazing truth. Yet, straying away from His presence would give the enemy more room to attack and destroy us.

David demonstrated a tender heart that never delays in asking God for forgiveness. He is a man that quickly repents of his sin whenever he realises he has done something wrong. For example, Psalm 51 was written following his affair with Bathsheba, the death of Uriah and Prophet Nathan’s rebuke. He asked the Lord to give him a new heart. God answered him. The rest of his life showed a new and a transformed man.

You see, it is possible that the Israelites would have suffered for lesser years in the hands of their oppressors if they have been people given to seeking God and asking for forgiveness. To wait for 20 years and be miserable under the oppression of the enemy is not the best thing to do.

Why did they wait for this long? Why was there no one to say let us go back to God? We were not told. For us, when last did we ask God for forgiveness when we sinned against Him? Or are we still carrying on with our life as if nothing happened? The earlier we return to God and confess our sins the better for us. Let us pray.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself as you have been blessed.

Song: Create in me a clean heart, O Lord.

Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 3