I have been working my way through Beth Moore’s 90-day devotional on King David. I must admit that although I have known about David for a very long time, and while I knew he was called by God “a man after His own heart,” I have never really taken the time to study him as I have with this devotional book.

I think most who have a limited knowledge about David know that he slayed Goliath with a stone, was made king after Saul, is credited with writing a bunch of the Psalms, and then, of course, there’s that whole Bathsheba thing.

As I have studied his story more in-depth, I have learned more about what a truly flawed human being he was…just like me. I find it encouraging that even with all his mistakes, God still called him “a man after His own heart.” He loved God and believed that God would give him victory over Goliath. Much later, however, he turned from God for a while and sinned against God with Bathsheba. And yet, when confronted by Nathan with the truth of his sin, David’s words were, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:13)

In David, I think we find the perfect example of what God is looking for from each of us. He does not call us to be perfect. Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” is clear that this is an impossibility. We will fall. There may or may not be consequences. But there is no condemnation. Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” How I praise Him for that!

The enemy would have us believe otherwise, though. He taunts us with our past mistakes. He whispers to us that we are not good enough, that we cannot possibly be forgiven. For if he can keep us buried in guilt and shame, we will remain unable to bear witness to others who are walking the same path we have trod of the grace, mercy, and yes, freedom, we have found in Christ.

I can attest to this. I spent many years out of fellowship with God because of the guilt and shame of my sinful failures. Praise His Holy Name, He did not let me go. He never left me. He never stopped pursuing me. And finally, I allowed Him to catch me.

Ever so gently, He spoke to my heart and reminded me that there is no sin that was not covered by Jesus’ precious shed blood on the cross. Not even mine. I finally allowed this truth that I had known in my head to penetrate my heart, and the freedom that I found is like nothing I have ever known before or since.

He is a God of reconciliation. “But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in His sight, without blemish and free from accusation…” (Colossians 1:22)

Did you catch that? “Without blemish and free from accusation…” There is nothing you have done that cannot be forgiven. If you are still bound up in the guilt and shame of past mistakes, then I urge you to take it to Him today. He is waiting and wanting so much to give you the freedom and gift of reconciliation you so desperately need.

Take it from one who has been there. You will be so glad that you did.

And if you are one who has never taken that first step of asking Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life, then click on the Ready? button in my right sidebar to find out how to do just that. Your freedom, and your Savior, awaits.

Sweet Blessings,