*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*LAST-MINUTE REPENTANCE? (5)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Psalm 51:3-4
*For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.*
*Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
David teaches us the timely essence of repentance. It should not and can not be postponed.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
The immediate response of David to Nathan when confronted that he was man that the parable of 'the rich man who had exceeding many flocks and herds and the poor man who had nothing, except one little ewe lamb' was referring to, teaches us of how important and compulsory it is to confess and repent our sins.
David, though at this point, had ceased to be a man after God's heart, but he knew God could restore. He knew he would not prosper again with God if he hid his sin. He could lose everything totally, but confession saved him, 2 Sam 12:1-7.
Timely confession saves.
In 2 Sam 12: 13 tells us *And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.*
Timely confession brings spiritual prosperity.
Proverbs 28:13 *He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.*
Timely confession heals spiritually. It heals from pain and anguish
Psalm 51:8 *Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.*
Timely confession saves from physical afflictions. Refusal to confess can cause sickness if delayed.
Ps 32: 3 *When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.*
Timely confession can prevent God's anger. Its refusal can cause God's anger.
Ps 32:4 *For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.*
Timely confession unto repentance turns God's anger away. Confession brings comfort and peace.
Isaiah 12:1 *And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.*
Timely confession unto repentance gives God joy.
Luke 15:7 *l say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.*
The Psalmist teaches us that just as sin can make the sinner fall quickly under pressure, he must also quickly repent and forsake it.
As sin had destroyed his resistance, he must make up his mind to rebuild resistance against not confessing his sin.
Psalm 32:5 says *l acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.*
David further teaches us that when a sinner refuses to repent, God must never be blamed for the severeness or severity of the punishment Ps 51:4.
Often, we blame God on serious consequences around us.
God can never be wrong in administering justice to any unrepentant sinner or to a world in rebellion. He will always be right.
If we fail to confess our sins, whatever God decides to do in judgment is considered justifiable and deserving to the sinner.
He further admonishes that restoration must be sorted after by every sinner, and every sinner who is restored must reach out and teach sinners the power of restoration so that they may be converted.
Psalm 51:12-13 *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.*
The power of teaching sinners about restoration and their eventual conversion and salvation is spoken of by Paul when he wrote in Romans 1:16 *For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.*
We must let sinners know the danger of postponing or rejecting salvation.
David knew the importance of restoration. He knew that if God would not restore him, his hope of salvation or making it to heaven and having eternal rest is lost.
Why would you postpone confession and repentance unto salvation?
Why would you refuse to accept what you have done wrong now that you have control over your decision or to make it right with God?
Why would you postpone confession and repentance to a time you can not have control over?
Take it or leave it, some of the harsh realities some people are going through in life may need more confession and repentance than prayer.
Repent today.
Do not wait till any last minute!
*Remorse corner.*
God will be justified in any way He chooses to punish the unrepentant sinner.
*Call to Word.*
Unrepentant sin has a way of tormenting.
People may encourage the sinner to feel free and remain unrepentant. Let no one shut your mouth to confess and repent.
The Psalmist warns in 32: 9, *Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.*
Unrepentant sins often give you a sense of peace, but it is false.
Psalm 32:10 says *Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Stay away from sin. Whatever sin you did not commit would need no confession.
*Prayer.*
Lord, lead me. Help me to avoid sin.
Let every sinner come to confession and repentance in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day.
God bless you.
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