Introduction

Christ's invitation to us all is a call to a life of peace and rest--a life of liberty and love, and to a rich inheritance in the future immortal life. . . We need not be alarmed if this path of liberty is laid through conflicts and sufferings. The liberty we shall enjoy will be the more valuable because we made sacrifices to obtain it. The peace which passeth knowledge will cost us battles with the powers of darkness, struggles severe against selfishness and inward sins. {TMK 287.2}

This week’s SSLesson will disclose what’s the cost of rest and how God works in the heart of His penitent servant David, when he acknowledged his sin and repented.

Outline of the Study

I have sinned! What should I do? Conceal it? Confess it?

Concealing Sin–2 Samuel 11

Confessing Sin–2 Samuel 12:1-13

Then What?

Consequences of sin-2 Samuel 12:14-23

A New Heart—Psalms 51:1-12

New Words—Psalms 51:13-19

Prayer Thought

The Only Dress Admitted Into Heaven.--There is a dress which every child and youth may innocently seek to obtain. It is the righteousness of the saints. If they will only be as willing and persevering in obtaining this as they are in fashioning their garments after the standard of worldly society, they will very soon be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and their names will not be blotted out of the book of life. Mothers, as well as youth and children, need to pray, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." [Psalm 51:10.] This purity of heart and loveliness of spirit are more precious than gold, both for time and for eternity. Only the pure in heart shall see God. {CG 417.5}

Memory Verse

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” {Psalms 51:10}

I have sinned! What should I do?

The prophet's rebuke touched the heart of David; conscience was aroused; his guilt appeared in all its enormity. His soul was bowed in penitence before God. With trembling lips he said, "I have sinned against the Lord." All wrong done to others reaches back from the injured one to God. David had committed a grievous sin, toward both Uriah and Bathsheba, and he keenly felt this. But infinitely greater was his sin against God. {PP 722.1}

A Fix Resolution of Purpose in Life

God leads His people on step by step. The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose. . . {YRP 68.2}

The Divine Intervention for Man’s Salvation

We cannot appreciate our Redeemer in the highest sense until we can see Him by the eye of faith reaching to the very depths of human wretchedness, taking upon Himself the nature of man, the capacity to suffer, and by suffering putting forth His divine power to save and lift sinners up to companionship with Himself. O why have we so little sense of sin? Why so little penitence? It is because we do not come nearer the cross of Christ. Conscience becomes hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, because we remain away from Christ. Consider the Captain of our salvation. He suffered shame for us that we might not suffer everlasting shame and contempt. He suffered on the cross, that mercy might be granted to fallen man. God's justice is preserved, and guilty man is pardoned. Jesus dies that the sinner might live. Shame is borne by the Son of the Highest for the sake of poor sinners, that they might be ransomed and crowned with eternal glory. {TMK 287.3}

A Desire to Fight against the Enemy of Soul

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1 Corinthians 9:26, 27. {YRP 68.1}

Concealing Sin—2 Samuel 11

“But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Samuel 11:27)

Beyond There’s the Tribunal of Judgment

Men may succeed in concealing their transgression from their fellow men, but they will no less surely reap the result, in suffering, disease, imbecility, or death. And beyond this life stands the tribunal of the judgment, with its award of eternal penalties. "They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God," but with Satan and evil angels shall have their part in that "lake of fire" which "is the second death." Galatians 5:21; Revelation 20:14. {PP 461.1}

No Concealing of Sins From God

God sees the sinner. The eye which never slumbers knows everything that is done. It is written in His book. One may conceal his sin from father, mother, wife, and friends, and yet all lies open before God, and is placed in His book of record. . .David was a repentant man, and although he confessed and hated his sin, he could not forget it. {TSB 89.1}

He exclaimed, "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me. . . . Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day" [Psalm 139:7-12]. {TSB 89.2}

God is Displeased with Careless and Indolent Workers

God requires the training of the mental faculties. He designs that His servants shall possess more intelligence and clearer discernment than the worldling, and He is displeased with those who are too careless or too indolent to become efficient, well-informed workers. The Lord bids us love Him with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and with all the mind. This lays upon us the obligation of developing the intellect to its fullest capacity, that with all the mind we may know and love our Creator. {COL 333.2}

Selfishness and Covetousness Must Fall Out from His Professed People

God requires a constant doing on the part of His people; and when they become weary of well-doing, He becomes weary of them. I saw that He is greatly displeased with the least manifestation of selfishness on the part of His professed people, for whom Jesus spared not His own precious life. Every selfish, covetous person will fall out by the way. Like Judas, who sold his Lord, they will sell good principles and a noble, generous disposition for a little of earth's gain. All such will be sifted out from God's people. Those who want heaven must, with all the energy which they possess, be encouraging the principles of heaven. Instead of withering up with selfishness, their souls should be expanding with benevolence. Every opportunity should be improved in doing good to one another, and thus cherishing the principles of heaven. Jesus was presented to me as the perfect pattern. His life was without selfish interest, but ever marked with disinterested benevolence. {CET 174.2}

Act in Opposition to God’s Message Regarded as Sin

He is displeased when His servants act in opposition to the message upon this point, which He has given them to give to others. Can He be pleased when half the workers laboring in a place, teach that the principles of health reform are as closely allied with the third angel's message as the arm is to the body, while their co-workers, by their practice, teach principles that are entirely opposite? This is regarded as a sin in the sight of God. . . {CD 38.3}

Consider the following!

David’s fall was a consequence of a chain of mistakes.

He did not fulfill his duty as a king (v. 1)

He did not turn away, but took pleasure in the temptation (v. 2; Job 31:1)

He found a way to fulfill his desire (v. 3)

He committed a sin (v. 4)

He tried to conceal his sin by fooling a good man (v. 5-12)

He put Uriah in a dangerous position by getting him drunk (v. 13)

He arranged a murder (v. 14-25)

He tried to conceal his sin by marrying Bathsheba (v. 26-27)

Confessing Sin—2 Samuel 12:1-13

“So David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.’” (2 Samuel 12:13)

A Straight Rebuke Touches the Heart

The prophet’s rebuke touched the heart of David; conscience was aroused; his guilt appeared in all its enormity. His soul was bowed in penitence before God. With trembling lips he said, “I have sinned against the Lord. ”Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 717-722. {CTr 147.7}

David Reproved for Walking in Own Counsel

[1 Kings 3:14 quoted.] Several times during his reign David walked in the counsel of his own heart, and greatly injured his influence by following his impulses. But he always received the words of reproof sent to him by the Lord. These words cut him to the quick. He did not seek to evade the matter, but bore the punishment of his transgression, saying, "I have sinned" (MS 164, 1902). {2BC 1026.8}

Too Late to be True! A Lesson to Learn

Achan confessed, and said, “Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them . . . and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”. . . {CTr 138.6}

A Stubborn Resolution after Confession

Pharaoh sent for the prophets in haste, and said, "I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. Now therefore, forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the Lord your God, that He may take away from me this death only." They did so, and a strong west wind carried away the locusts toward the Red Sea. Still the king persisted in his stubborn resolution. {PP 271.5}

An Individual Responsibility and Accountability

"Ye have sinned a great sin," he said, "and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin." He went, and in his confession before God he said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now if Thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written." The answer was, "Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book. Therefore now go, lead the people into the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, Mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them." {PP 326.2}

Consider the following!

God did not sit back and do nothing. He reacted to David’s flagrant sin by sending prophet Nathan. Nathan used a parable to touch David’s conscience, appealing to David’s sense of justice and his experience as a shepherd (v. 1-6).

David’s repentance went beyond feeling guilt over his sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. He understood he had sinned against God (Psalm 51:4).

Our sins ultimately hurt God and drive another nail into the rough beam pointing heavenward on Golgotha.

Thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice, there is an immediate response to true repentance: “The Lord also has put away your sin.”

Then What!

Inspiration gave an account of a realization with the corporate fate of Israel’s stubborn resolution and Moses intervention.

It says, “Moses realized how dreadful would be the fate of the sinner; yet if the people of Israel were to be rejected by the Lord, he desired his name to be blotted out with theirs; he could not endure to see the judgments of God fall upon those who had been so graciously delivered. The intercession of Moses in behalf of Israel illustrates the mediation of Christ for sinful men. But the Lord did not permit Moses to bear, as did Christ, the guilt of the transgressor. "Whosoever hath sinned against Me," He said, "him will I blot out of My book." {PP 326.3}

The Shepherd’s Consideration and Solution

We should not think that Jesus has forsaken us when clouds and darkness come upon our souls. He is a pitying, loving Redeemer. He does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. He is not willing that any of us should perish, but that all should have eternal life; but he wants us to follow him as the sheep follow the shepherd; and by and by he will lead us to living waters, and wipe away all tears from our eyes. {ST, March 17, 1890 par. 6}

Consequences of sin. 2 Samuel 12:14-23.

And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. (2Samuel 12:6)

Consequences of sin Attach to Violation of Law

The will of God establishes the connection between cause and its effects. Fearful consequences are attached to the least violation of God's law. All will seek to avoid the result, but will not labor to avoid the cause which produced the effect. The cause is wrong, the effect right, to restrain the transgressor. {ApM 26.1}

Reproach Upon Religion Due to the Dark Stain of Sin

Through successive generations infidels have pointed to the character of David, bearing this dark stain, and have exclaimed in triumph and derision, "This is the man after God's own heart!" Thus a reproach has been brought upon religion, God and His word have been blasphemed, souls have been hardened in unbelief, and many, under a cloak of piety, have become bold in sin. {CC 180.2}

But the history of David furnishes no countenance to sin. It was when he was walking in the counsel of God that he was called a man after God's own heart. When he sinned, this ceased to be true of him until by repentance he had returned to the Lord. The word of God plainly declares, "The thing that David had done was evil in the eyes of the Lord." 2 Samuel 11:27, margin. And the Lord said to David by the prophet, "Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? . . . Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised Me." Though David repented of his sin and was forgiven and accepted by the Lord, he reaped the baleful harvest of the seed he himself had sown. The judgments upon him and upon his house testify to God's abhorrence of the sin. {PP 723.1}

Avoid Lessening the Guilt of Sin

Those who, by pointing to the example of David, try to lessen the guilt of their own sins, should learn from the Bible record that the way of transgression is hard. Though like David they should turn from their evil course, the results of sin, even in this life, will be found bitter and hard to bear. A man incurs guilt by injuring a fellow-being, but his chief guilt is the sin that he has committed against the Lord, and the evil influence of his example upon others. The sincere child of God does not make light of any of His requirements. {CC 180.6}

A Warning To Be Awakened to Distrust Self

God intended the history of David's fall to serve as a warning that even those whom He has greatly blessed and favored are not to feel secure and neglect watchfulness and prayer. And thus it has proved to those who in humility have sought to learn the lesson that God designed to teach. From generation to generation thousands have thus been led to realize their own danger from the tempter's power. The fall of David, one so greatly honored by the Lord, has awakened in them distrust of self. They have felt that God alone could keep them by His power through faith. Knowing that in Him was their strength and safety, they have feared to take the first step on Satan's ground. {PP 724.1}

Consider the Following!

David was forgiven immediately, but God did not prevent the consequences of his sin.

David sentenced himself to the loss of four of his sons: the first son of Bathsheba, Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah.

However, repentance also had consequences. David recovered “the joy of Your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12)

God forgave an adulterer, manipulator, and murderer. Wouldn’t He forgive us too? God’s grace is so great that He is always willing to forgive us, no matter how serious our sins are.

A new heart. Psalms 51:1-12.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

A Judicial Act of Forgiveness

God's forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin but reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart. David had the true conception of forgiveness when he prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. {FLB 129.2}

Conversion and New Life for Self-Renounced

As we receive divine light, and cooperate with the heavenly intelligences, we are "born again," freed from the defilement of sin by the power of Christ.

The mighty power of the Holy Spirit works an entire transformation in the character of the human agent, making him a new creature in Christ Jesus… The words and actions express the love of the Saviour. There is no striving for the highest place. Self is renounced. The name of Jesus is written on all that is said and done. {FLB 137.5}

Is not this, the renewal of man, the greatest miracle that can be performed? What cannot the human agent do who by faith takes hold of the divine power?

Press your Case–Be Earnest and Sincere

I saw how this grace could be obtained. Go to your closet and there alone plead with God. "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Be in earnest, be sincere. Fervent prayer availeth much. Jacob-like, wrestle in prayer. Agonize. Jesus in the garden sweat great drops of blood; you must make an effort. Do not leave your closet until you feel strong in God; then watch, and just as long as you watch and pray, you can keep these evil besetments under, and the grace of God can, and will, appear in you. {AG 87.6}

A Cry of Faith to a Renewal of Life

Let your cry be to God, Convert my inmost soul. Plead with God for the transforming power of His grace. Hold fast to your Saviour as did Jacob, until God shall not only reveal to you yourself but shall reveal to you Himself and you shall see in Jesus a strength and support, a brightness and power, you have never sensed and realized. Your soul's salvation is in great peril, and now do not, I plead with you, deceive your own soul. If your faith perseveringly grasps the promises, you will prevail. This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. {HP 24.2}

How the New Heart Is Kept

One of the most earnest prayers recorded in the Word of God is that of David when he pleaded, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Psalm 51:10. God's response to such a prayer is, A new heart will I give you. This is a work that no finite man can do. Men and women are to begin at the beginning, seeking God most earnestly for a true Christian experience. They are to feel the creative power of the Holy Spirit. They are to receive the new heart, that is kept soft and tender by the grace of heaven. The selfish spirit is to be cleansed from the soul. They are to labor earnestly and with humility of heart, each one looking to Jesus for guidance and encouragement. Then the building, fitly framed together, will grow into a holy temple in the Lord. {OHC 159.2}

An Intellectual Religion – a Form of Godliness will be Ruined

Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10. Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin. {SC 35.1}

Consider the Following!

David asked God to erase his sins, to purify him, and to change his thoughts and feelings.

He did not want to rely on himself anymore. We can have true safety, joy, and happiness by relying on God alone.

Only the Holy Spirit can change our hearts this way (v. 11). He leads us to sanctification, makes us new, strengthens us to resist temptation, and gives us rest.

New words. Psalms 51:13-19.

“Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” (Psalm 51:13)

Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." [Psalm 51:6-13.] {CE 230.3}

Heart Subdued and Made Contrite Through the Power of the Holy Spirit

What a prayer is this! How evident it is that sinners in the household are not to be treated with indifference, but that the Lord looks upon them as the purchase of his blood. In every household where the unconverted are, it should be the work of those who know the Lord to work in wisdom for their conversion. The Lord will surely bless the efforts of parents, as in his fear and love they seek to save the souls of their household. The Lord Jesus is waiting to be gracious. O that the work might begin at the heart! "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it; thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." [Psalm 51:16, 17.] Then let it be understood by all the members of the household that the work must begin at the heart. The heart must be subdued and made contrite through the creating, regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Realizing the aid of this mighty agency, cannot parents work for the conversion of their children with more zeal and love than ever before? --Extract from an article in the Review and Herald, March 14, 1893.

Fulfill God’s Purpose – Restore the Joy of Salvation

But in order for us to fulfill God's purpose, there is a preparatory work to be done. The Lord bids us empty our hearts of the selfishness which is the root of alienation. He longs to pour upon us His Holy Spirit in rich measure, and He bids us clear the way by self-renunciation. When self is surrendered to God, our eyes will be opened to see the stumbling stones which our un-Christlikeness has placed in the way of others. All these God bids us remove. He says: "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed" (James 5:16). Then we may have the assurance that David had when, after confession of his sin, he prayed: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee" (Psalm 51:12, 13). {YRP 292.3}

The All-Important Lesson to Learn

There must be a new birth, a new mind through the operation of the Spirit of God, which purifies the life and ennobles the character. This connection with God fits man for the glorious kingdom of Heaven. No human invention can ever find a remedy for the sinning soul. Only by repentance and humiliation, a submission to the divine requirements, can the work of grace be performed. Iniquity is so offensive in the sight of God, whom the sinner has so long insulted and wronged, that a repentance commensurate with the character of the sins committed often produces an agony of spirit hard to bear. {ST, November 15, 1883 par. 14}

Consider the Following!

David was ashamed of his sin. He did not forget that stain on his record. However, there was something greater than shame: forgiveness.

He could not stay silent (v. 15). He had to warn others, so they did not make the same mistake. And they had to know that God was willing to forgive them if they had sinned.

We cannot keep this important news secret: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

From the Pen of Inspiration

Satan will come in many ways to tempt the soul away from Christ. He will first tell you that you are good enough of yourself; that you do not need a work of reformation wrought for you. He will suggest to you that you have made but few mistakes in your life, and that these will be overbalanced by the good you have done. If you have lived such a life as he would make you believe you have, it would be like a chain with unsound links in it, wholly worthless. One sin unrepented of is enough to close the gates of heaven against you. It was because man could not be saved with one stain of sin upon him, that Jesus came to die on Calvary's cross. Your only hope is to look to Christ and live. He came to save to the uttermost all who came unto him; and he is fully able to do all that he has undertaken to do for you. He will lift us up from the degradation into which we have fallen because of sin. {ST, March 17, 1890 par. 2}

The follower of Jesus should be constantly improving in manners, in habits, in spirit, and labor. But this is done by keeping the eye, not on mere outward, superficial attainments, but on Jesus the model. A transformation takes place in mind, in spirit, in character. The Christian is educated in the school of Christ to cherish the graces of his Spirit in all meekness and lowliness of mind. He is fitting for the society of heavenly angels. . .The Lord has presented to me in many ways, and at various times, how carefully we should deal with the young,--that it requires the finest discrimination to deal with minds. Everyone who has to do with the education and training of youth, needs to live very close to the great Teacher, to catch his spirit and manner of work. Lessons are to be given which will affect their character and life work. {CE 200.2}

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