RESTORATION

The Bible teaches us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Throughout the ages, sin has been man's greatest downfall. It all started with Adam and Eve. They experienced the best God had to offer, until they yielded to sin. When they allowed sin into their lives, the will of God gave way to disobedience. Because of their sin, they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. This God who detested sin, announced their punishment. However, He did not forsake them. He restored them to a life outside of the garden. Genesis 3:21 tell us, "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." By killing the animal and making garments for them, the Lord covered them in His righteousness.

On that note, this makes me reflect on a few words from Psalm 51:1-2, as we see the sins of David revealed, as David pleads with God. David says, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." David, "a man after God's own heart" falls victim to his Adamic nature. Psalm 51 is a powerful prayer from a man who had it all, but allowed sin to lead him into a broken fellowship with God. His Lord, who chose him as a shepherd boy to become Israel's second king, and greatest king, seemed abandoned, because of what he did. When David yielded to sin, it brought the worst out of him. This adventure revealed to him what he already knew, that his Lord detested sin.

This Psalm was written by David after the Prophet Nathan boldly confronted him after he had committed adultery and murder. Allow me to briefly tell you the story about David and his sins. Israel was at war, because it was that time of season when the kings go off to war. David sent Joab out with the king's men along with the whole Israelite army, but David remained in Jerusalem. One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a very beautiful woman that was bathing. David sent men to inquire about her. He was told that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Then David sent men to bring her to him at the palace. She went to him and he slept with her, then she went back home. As a result of this liaison, she conceived and sent word back to David that she was pregnant. David immediately devised a schemed to make it appear that Uriah would be the father.

David summoned Uriah to return home from war, hoping that he would go home and spend time with his wife. Uriah returned from the frontline and after talking with David did just the opposite, he slept at the doorway with the other servants. Upon hearing this, David was angered. Uriah was ordered back to the palace and was given a note to take back to Joab, who was leading the battle. The note said, "Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him so he will be struck down and die" (2 Samuel 11:15). Joab, without hesitation, followed all David's instructions, and when Uriah was killed, he reported back to the king. David now felt that all was okay, after all he was the king.

When Bathsheba heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. The Bible clearly says, "But the thing David had done displeased the Lord" (2 Samuel 11:27).

As time past by, David's sin began to weigh heavily on him. He realized the communion and fellowship that he once had with God, was not the same. His sinful deeds had caught up with him. When he prayed, God wasn't there, because his sins was blocking his petitions. David knew what it used to be like when he sought the Lord, but it was different now. In his heart he suffered greatly and he was miserable. To him, his Lord was no longer accessible. He knew in order to regain this communion and fellowship with God, he had to come before God with a humble heart. This experience was a turning point for King David, who had ascended to the seat of power to lead God's people, but now he realized he was in danger of losing that anointing, which his Lord had place upon him.

In Psalm 51, we can clearly see David in his pain, in his suffering, but he turned to a compassionate God. He withheld no tears, he cried his heart out to God. He was very much aware that he was unable to hide his sins any longer. Now was the time to fix things with God. Only his God could replace what was desperately missing, communion and fellowship.

David needed "RESTORATION." He needed God's mercy and forgiveness. Without a doubt, he knew about the power of mercy. In Psalm 86:3, which is a prayer of David, he said, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long." And again in Psalm 86:7, he said, "In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me." So David knew in his heart, "You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you" (Psalm 86:5).

Psalm 51 helps us to understand what David did in order to "Restore the joy of thy salvation." First, David made a full confession. He began his prayer by saying, "Have mercy on me, O God." In other words, he wanted forgiveness, instead of condemnation. He wanted his transgressions to be blotted out.

Secondly, he acknowledged his transgressions. This is what he said, "For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me." David's conscience was speaking to him and the cry of his conscience was a conviction of sin.

Thirdly, he made an admission. In verse four, he penned these words, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight." David's conscience was pointing an accusing finger at him. The experience had brought him under deep conviction. He hated what he had done and his guilt was evident, because it was against his Lord, who had shown him nothing but favor.

Fourth, he expressed his moral impotency. He said, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Psalm 51:5). David was not using this as an excuse, for he realized sin was in the bloodline. He was born a sinner.

Fifth, he delineated the character of God. In verse six, he said, "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts, you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."

Sixth, he desired to be cleansed. He asks God to, "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow" (v. 7). Then he says, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (v. 10).

David was ready for RESTORATION. In verse 12, he says, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." David did not lose his salvation, he had lost the joy of his salvation, and he wanted communion and fellowship restored with his Lord. Being in communion with our God should always be joyful, but when sin is present, that joy no longer exist, because the temple has been defiled. When there is no joy, there is no gladness. Sin is a powerful negative in the lives of those who choose sin over what is right. Sin blocks our blessings.

What about you today? Unlike David, you probably didn't commit murder or adultery, but sin is still sin, and God detests sin. Un-confessed sin is a noose around your neck. John tells us, "If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness." He doesn't stop there, he goes on to say, "But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."