What Does Jehovah's Forgiveness Mean for You? - DAVID PRAYS AND GOD FORGIVES HIM

King David later composed Psalm 51.  The words of that psalm show how sorry  he felt.  David begged Jehovah for help.  But he did more than just admit what he did wrong.  He also repented of his sins. David's relationship with God was the most important thin to him.  "Against you, you alone, I have sinned," he confessed.  He pleaded with Jehovah: "Create in  me even a pure heart, O God, and put within me a new spirit, a steadfast one."  He requested: "Do restore tome the exultation of salvation by you, and may you support me even with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:1-4, 7-12)  When you talk to Jehovah about the mistakes you have made, are you as sincere and honest with him as David was?

 Jehovah did not protect David from the bad results of his sins.  Those sins would continue to cause problems for David for the rest of his life.  But because David had "a heart broken and crushed," or a repentant attitude, Jehovah forgave him.  (Read Psalm 32:5; Psalm 51:178)  Almighty God understands the real feelings and reasons that cause a person to commit a sin.  So God did not say that the human judges  should punish David and Bath-sheba with death, as instructed in the Mosaic Law.  (Leviticus 20:10) Instead, he judged David and Bath-sheba himself and showed mercy to them. In time, their son Solomon became king of Israel. - 1 CHRONICLES 22:9, 10.

Perhaps another reason that Jehovah forgave David is the face that David had shown mercy to Saul.  (1 Samuel 24:4-7)  Jesus explained that Jehovah treats us the way we treat others.   "Stop judging that you may not be judged; for with what judgment you are judging, you will be judged and with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you." (Matthew 7:1, 2) It is comforting to know that Jehovah will forgive our sins, even very serious sins like adultery or murder!  But he will forgive us only if we are willing to forgive others, if we confess our sins to him, and if we change our attitude  by viewing our sins the way Jehovah does.  When sinners sincerely repent of their sins, Jehovah forgives them "seasons of refreshing," or helps them to have a clean conscience. - Read ACTS 3:19.

Next time: What Does Jehovah's Forgiveness Mean for You? - MANASSEH SINS SERIOUSLY BUT LATER REPENTS

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