Sexual Sin and the Mercy of God Douglas Sean O’Donnell

What man doesn’t struggle with sexual sin? Thankfully, the Bible gives us many realistic heroes—saints yet sinners—who fell into the muck of sin and were graciously cleaned up by God. The background of Psalm 51 is David’s adultery with Bathsheba. Until David was confronted by the prophet Nathan, he was blind to his sin. It’s amazing! He committed adultery, Bathsheba got pregnant, and then David had her husband Uriah killed. I don’t know what sexual struggles you have had this week, but hopefully your sin—and your blindness to it—hasn’t reached David’s depths of darkness! Whatever darkness we have in the area of sexual impurity, Psalm 51 guides us to the light. We can join David in acknowledging and confessing sin:   I know my transgressions (v. 3) Against you . . . have I sinned (v. 4) We can join him in pleading with God for forgiveness:   Have mercy on me (v. 1) Cleanse me from my sin (v. 2) Wash me (v. 7) Hide your face from my sins (v. 9) Deliver me (v. 14) We can join him in asking for restoration:   Create in me a clean heart (v. 10) Cast me not away from your presence (v. 11) Restore to me the joy of your salvation (v. 12) And we can take those three steps not only for the sake of the spread of the gospel (“then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you”; v. 13), but also for the glory of God (“my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness . . . my mouth will declare your praise” (vv. 14–15). Jesus came for sinners. Jesus died for sinners. Jesus lives to say to sinners, “Your sins are forgiven. . . . Go in peace” (Luke 7:48, 50). Jesus is God’s authorized agent to pronounce forgiveness and to bring restoration. He is the Savior who cancels all our debts—past sins, awful sins, seemingly unforgiveable sins. He alone can “wash” and “cleanse” us from sin (Heb. 9:19–28). So call out to him today, “Have mercy on me. . . . Cleanse me from my sin!” (Ps. 51:1–2).