Probably the most natural thing for us to do after working through an embarrassing failure and experiencing forgiveness is to try to forget that the event ever happened. Memories of failure can be painful.

What does David want to do with his painful experience? Read Psalm 51:13-19.

When a bowl or a precious vase falls and breaks into pieces, we normally sigh and throw the useless broken pieces away. In Japan there is a traditional art called kintsugi, which specializes in recreating broken pottery. A precious metal, such as liquid gold or silver, is used to glue the broken pieces together and to turn the broken item into something of beauty and value.

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Every time God forgives our transgressions and re-creates us again, something changes. God’s precious forgiveness glues our brokenness together, and the visible breaks can draw attention to His grace. We can become God’s loudspeakers. “My tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness” (Psalm 51:14). We don’t attempt to self-repair or auto-improve (even incrementally). Our broken spirits, our contrite hearts, are enough praise for God — and they are beams of light that the world can see surrounding us. Our experience of being forgiven attracts others who are searching for forgiveness.

What relationship is there between Psalm 51:1-19 and 1 John 1:9?

1 John 1:9 is a short summary of Psalm 51:1-19. As David knows that “A broken and a contrite heart — These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:17), John assures us that “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). We can take God at His word.

Again, David could not repair the tremendous damage that he had done through his acts and example to his family. He suffered the consequences of his decisions and actions. And yet, David knew that he had been forgiven. He knew that he needed to trust by faith that one day the true Lamb of God would come and stand in his place.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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After David has confessed his sin without trying to excuse it or gloss over it, he goes on to petition God. What does he ask God for? Read Psalm 51:7-12.

David’s reference to cleansing with hyssop utilizes terminology known to every Israelite who had ever visited the sanctuary. As he refers to the ritual acts of cleansing described in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 14:4), he recognized the power of a sacrifice — the Sacrifice — who would come in the future to take away the sins of the world.

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David also goes on to ask for “joy” and “gladness.” In the face of the enormity of his sin, isn’t this a little audacious?

Perhaps it may be helpful to listen to this paraphrase: “Tell me I am forgiven so that I may enter the sanctuary again where I can hear the joy and gladness of those worshiping you.”

When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from God’s presence (Genesis 3:8). Why do you think David’s request, even after his sin, is so different? Read  Psalm 51.11-12.

David does not want to lose the consciousness of living in God’s presence. He realizes that without the Holy Spirit, he is powerless. He knows that, as easily as he slipped into sin with Bathsheba, he could slip into sin again. His self-confidence is shattered.

David understands that future victories will not come from him; they will come only from God as he depends totally on God.

The victorious Christian life is not all about us. It is all about Jesus. We yearn for His presence; we crave His Spirit; we want His joy of salvation. We recognize our need for renewal and restoration. We need His rest — a divine act of re-creation. Creation rest is not far from forgiveness. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10) uses creation terminology. In the Old Testament only God can “create” (bara’) — and once we have been re-created, we can rest.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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This video is produced by the South Pacific Division Discipleship team.

Week 4_ The Cost of Rest_study this lesson for July 24 from SPD Discipleship on Vimeo.

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You can view an in-depth discussion of “The Cost of Rest” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Key Thought: Whoever will humble the soul with confession and repentance may be sure there is hope for him. The cost of rest is finding God’s grace and law.
.July 24, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read 2 Samuel 11:1-5.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What happened here and what great sin did David commit? How did David try to cover up his sin?
3. Personal Application: What warnings should we take from this story in our own lives? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why are all our sins ultimately sins against God? Why do people try to lie about their sins and cover them up when God sees and knows everything?” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 51:1-6.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Did God just wipe David’s slate clean? Did everyone just forget about it? What did it mean that God took away David’s sin?
3. Personal Application: What sin do you think today God might have a hard time forgiving? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “The Bible says that if we believe in Jesus that we are forgiven, justified and saved. That’s all there is to it. When Jesus died on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 51:7-12.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. When David confessed his sin, what did he ask for?
3. Personal Application: How do these verses help us understand how to deal with a guilty conscience? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “How do people deal with guilt in not overcoming a particular sin that they can’t seem to get the victory over? Should they just forget about it and trust Jesus will forgive them anyway and not worry about falling again and again“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Psalm 51:13-19.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does David want to do with his painful experience?
3. Personal Application: How can you use and apply I John 1:9 to your own experience and to others who may be struggling and doubting their experience?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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